Legislative Democrats hold hearing on TANF reform

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Legislative Democrats say they have been trying to push for reforms to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, TANF, without success since the scandal.

On Tuesday, they held their third hearing on possible TANF reforms. The first two were in 2022. But Tuesday’s conversation was less about the scandal and more about how to move forward.

“I just wonder, where is the compassion?” asked Rep. Bo Brown. “My God.”

They are asking advocates and others to explain what reforms are needed in the program.

“All we can do is continue to implore the leadership in the House and Senate to at least give these bills a fair chance in committee and on the floor,” said House Minority Leader Representative Robert Johnson.

Southern Poverty Law Center policy director Sonya Williams Barnes was among those who testified.

“Given the rising cost of living and the increase in children living in poverty in our state, now is the time to re-prioritize TANF assistance to Mississippi’s most vulnerable families,” Williams said. Barnes.

He says there are barriers like work requirements and drug testing that need to be addressed. They also heard the moral argument for implementing reforms.

“It is an abomination to God and to humanity that we have such deep poverty in the state of Mississippi, and do so little to alleviate it,” explained Dr. Jason Coker.

DHS Director Bob Anderson reminded lawmakers that he is tasked with following state law and cannot change some of the burdensome aspects of accessing benefits.

“I’ve tried to do everything I can to improve what, obviously, we all know was a broken program,” Anderson said. “It was broken in the last administration.”

No Republicans participated in the hearing, but Gov. Tate Reeves answered a question Tuesday.

“I think it’s very important that we give those individuals who need it and a helping hand an opportunity to succeed and ultimately hopefully get off all government assistance,” Reeves said.

As an example of how TANF funding can be used positively beyond directly assisting families, there was testimony from a nonprofit organization that used the money for workforce training.

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