REQUESTING THAT THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS RECOGNIZE NEW MEXICO FOR ITS SUCCESS IN WELFARE REFORM.

WHEREAS, the temporary assistance for needy families program provides cash assistance to unemployed and under-employed families through the New Mexico works program; and

WHEREAS, ninety percent of welfare recipients are single mothers raising young children and those children make up seventy percent of the welfare caseload; and

WHEREAS, the state's program that tracks current and former welfare recipients allows the human services department to be more responsive to its clients' particular needs and is recognized as one of the best tracking programs in the country; and

WHEREAS, approximately one-half of the current welfare recipients are employed and utilizing work incentives, allowing the amount of cash assistance to be about one-half of what it would be without the employment; and

WHEREAS, although New Mexico ranks as one of the lowest states in per capita income, welfare recipients are able to increase their family income by combining cash assistance and earned income; and

WHEREAS, the state and federal government jointly fund this program, with the state being given more responsibility for administering its own program; and

WHEREAS, based on surveyed respondents, families in the state earn more after leaving the program than the national average; and

WHEREAS, of surveyed respondents who were no longer participating in the temporary assistance for needy families program in April 2000, only sixteen percent were reenrolled in the program one year later; and

WHEREAS, for able-bodied adult recipients, the New Mexico works program has become an effective work- and income-support program;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico congressional delegation be requested to urge the United States congress to recognize New Mexico for its success in using work incentives as part of the New Mexico works program, a work-encouraging and client-oriented program; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico congressional delegation.