The HOPE Act restores the 1990s welfare-to-work reforms that “ended welfare as we know it,” to use Bill Clinton’s phrase. These policies were gutted by the Obama administration as a backdoor way to expand welfare and to expand Obamacare.
In passing HB 1090, Mississippi has again become a leader in welfare reform, just as we led the way nationally with Gov. Kirk Fordice’s “Work First” reforms. According to an independent review of the law, it moves “Mississippi to the forefront of states in overall benefits integrity and the move from reliance on benefit programs to employment.”
Here are 10 reforms the HOPE Act accomplishes:
It gets people back to work … By requiring childless, able-bodied adults to get back to work or obtain training or attend school to keep receiving SNAP (food stamps).
It removes millionaires from food stamps … by restoring federal income and asset tests. (These are the welfare-to-work reforms from the 1990s.)
It tracks out-of-state welfare spending ... to stop welfare fraud and abuse (think: ATMs in the Walt Disney World area).
It verifies immigration status … to remove illegal aliens using stolen social security numbers to illegally access welfare (under federal law, illegal aliens are ineligible for welfare, but no one’s been checking).
It verifies residency … to make sure people in other states are not fraudulently taking advantage of Mississippi welfare programs.
It helps state employees … by giving them real-time data they can use to verify eligibility, eliminating duplicative and inefficient procedures.
It saves Mississippi – and federal – taxpayers millions a year … by removing fraudsters and identity thieves from our welfare rolls as soon as we discover their presence.
It makes sure welfare benefits are properly used … by banning EBT card usage at ATMs in liquor stores, strip clubs, casinos, theme parks and other questionable locations.
It requires state agencies to work together and to share eligibility data … so that people can’t conceal vital information that would illegally increase benefits.
It saves state money by drawing down federal funding … to help pay for cutting-edge fraud prevention measures – while also saving federal funding otherwise wasted on fraudulent Medicaid and welfare enrollment.
As a bonus, the HOPE Act accomplishes all this by preserving existing benefits for those who are truly eligible, preserving the long-term integrity of our Medicaid and welfare programs.
Protecting Freedom of Conscience
from Government Discrimination
Why is the "Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act" (HB 1523) needed today?
Before the Supreme Court case regarding same-sex marriage (Obergefell v. Hodges), we saw states discriminate against people who believe in one man/one woman marriage. For instance:
- California judges were barred from joining organizations that affirm one man/one woman marriage.
- A Washington state judge was admonished by the state judicial commission for saying he was "uncomfortable" with performing same-sex marriages due to his religious beliefs. He was ordered to not make such statements in the future.
- Governments in Illinois, Mass., and D.C. cancelled contracts to Christian-run adoption agencies because they only place a child with a married mother and father, even though the agencies referred other couples elsewhere.
Then, during oral arguments in Obergefell, the U.S. Solicitor General admitted that the tax-exempt status of private universities and colleges (and, by implication, all religious organizations) that define marriage as the union of one man/one woman would "be an issue" if the Supreme Court found a constitutional right to same-sex marriage -- which it did.
Following the Obergefell ruling, the pressure to approve of same-sex marriage has only increased for religious schools, nonprofits, public employees, small business owners and others. All of these individuals and organizations should be protected from government coercion that would force people with sincerely held beliefs about one man/one woman marriage to violate their conscience.
What does HB 1523 do?
The Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act (HB 1523):
- Protects individuals and entities from being penalized by the state or local governments for their moral or religious beliefs that marriage is the union of one man and one woman.
- Protects individuals and entities who believe that sexual relationships are properly reserved to such marriages -- such as a religious school that requires students and faculty to refrain from engaging in sexual activity outside of marriage.
- Protects individuals and entities from being penalized for believing that "male" and "female" are biologically based.
- Is supported by a majority (63 percent) of Miss. voters from both parties and every major demographic.
What does HB 1523 NOT do?
The Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act does NOT:
- Change the legal definition of marriage.
- Hinder or slow the process for providing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
- Prevent the government from providing benefits or services authorized under state law.
- Create a "license to discriminate."
The Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act is focused on preventing government discrimination. States should not be in the business of forcing pastors, business owners and public employees to affirm conduct or practices that violate their sincerely held beliefs. Our government should never discriminate against, punish, or penalize people based on their sincerely held belief that marriage is the union of one man and one woman.
Fact 1: Medicaid harms patients by providing low-quality care
The goal of Medicaid should be to provide high-quality health care at an affordable price. Medicaid fails to do that.
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As part of the president's health care plan ("ObamaCare") states are being encouraged to expand Medicaid to cover able-bodied adults who earn up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). Medicaid already covers low-income mothers and children, as well as disabled adults and low-income seniors. Expanding Medicaid will cover adults with no children who are working or could be working -- at least some of whom already have private insurance coverage. In addition to being unnecessary, the expansion will result in lower quality care for Medicaid patients, higher taxes and debt, and job losses for the country as a whole.
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Answers to Your Questions About Charter Schools
Q. Why do parents and children in "Successful" districts need public charter schools?
A. For the same reasons parents and children in any district might want a public charter school. Charter schools are not like antibiotics that should be given only to sick children; they are more like a dose of Vitamin C. (more…)
Charter School FAQ
This Issue Brief describes the general concept of charter schools; specific legislation may differ. (more…)
Glossary of Insurance Terms
Adverse Selection: The tendency for people with greater needs to be more likely to sign up for insurance, or to enroll in one plan over another, resulting in a health insurance pool containing a disproportionate share of people with medical conditions. Such a situation leads to higher premiums, which will drive healthier people out of the pool. (more…)
I am concerned about an issue that is being considered by the government. What should I do about it?
CHURCHES AND ELECTIONS:
WHAT IS THE LAW?
Many churches and pastors feel called by scripture to "equip the saints" to represent Christ in all areas of our society, including the voting booth. (more…)