GOP Preaches Responsibility, Blocks Family Planning

Under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, a mother receiving public assistance is granted, on average, an additional $72.50 a month for the birth of a child. Last year, House Speaker Bill O’Brien threw his weight behind House Bill 1658, which would bar the increase.

“We’re going to require people to make responsible decisions. If you don’t have enough money to take care of the family you have, you don’t have more children,” O’Brien said.

In testimony before the House Finance Committee this week, sponsor Rep. Neal Kurk elaborated.

“I think it’s bad public policy for the state to make a payment to an individual that is an unnecessary payment when it is within the individual’s control to avoid the problem for the state,” Kurk said.

“When I try to help somebody in a private charitable venture I don’t expect them to do things that will make it more expensive for me to help them. I just will not give money to that kind of a charity or that kind of a person.

In other news, the House passed a bill that would eliminate all funding for basic, preventive health care services — including family planning — for over 16,000 New Hampshire women, men, and families who receive services from Planned Parenthood and other health facilities that offer full reproductive health care.

Speaker O’Brien Dusts Off “Welfare Queen” Meme

In 1976, Ronald Reagan waged war on “welfare queens,” mythical recipients of public assistance who lived a life of luxury while refusing to work. The storyline tapped false stereotypes of women (uncontrolled sexuality) and African-Americans (laziness) and shaped enduring American attitudes on poverty.

Last month, state House Speaker Bill O’Brien dusted off the welfare queen meme.

“They pay mothers to have children out of wedlock and then wonder why family is breaking down, welfare programs are constantly growing, and children come to school with problems so severe that they can’t be educated.”

Today we learned Rep. Neal Kurk and Speaker O’Brien want the legislature to act on that storyline by barring increased payments to women who have children while receiving public assistance.

Kurk wants to bar any increase, which now sends a TANF household an extra $60 per month when a new child is born.

O’Brien congratulated Kurk on bringing the measure forward.

“We’re going to require people to make responsible decisions. If you don’t have enough money to take care of the family you have, you don’t have more children,” O’Brien said.