Majority Policy Committees to host briefing on welfare reform with former U.S. Senator Santorum

HARRISBURG – The Senate and House Majority Policy Committees will host former United States Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) for a public briefing focusing on welfare reform at the state Capitol next week.

The briefing, cohosted by Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks) and Representative Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin), will provide members with background into some of the landmark welfare reforms championed by Santorum in the mid-1990s.

“Welfare reform continues to be a priority for many members in the General Assembly,” Argall said. “Senator Santorum was a leader at the federal level on major initiatives that ultimately received the support of President Clinton. With our social assistance costs continuing to rise, it is important to learn from experts who have pursued reforms at all levels of government. We want social assistance programs to be used and not abused.”

“Pennsylvania has experienced several difficult budgets in recent years, with welfare the primary, ever-growing cost-driver,” Benninghoff said. “As leaders, we have an absolute responsibility to take care of those who are truly in need, but we also have an equal responsibility to ensure our limited tax dollars are not being wasted or abused, and to implement policies that help people get on a path to independence.”

During the current session, both committees featured local, state and national experts from think tanks, other state governments and academic institutions to review challenges with state public assistance programs.

The briefing will be held on Tuesday, September 25 at 8:30 a.m. in Room 8E-A of the East Wing in the state Capitol.

More information, including a livestream video link, can be found at SenatorArgall.com and KerryBenninghoff.com.

 

Contacts:
Jon Hopcraft (Argall)
717.787.2637

Morgan Wagner (Benninghoff)
717.260.6281

Back to Top