Welfare Reform: Next Steps

In April, local union activists employed in various facets of the TANF program met with AFSCME leadership and social service experts in Washington, D.C. They reviewed positive and negative aspects of the current program and contemplated the problems with Bush's proposed reforms.

In addition to concerns about TANF, participants also discussed the administration's support for "super-waivers," which would allow states to opt out of many federal laws and regulations, and could lead to increased privatization. Reviewing plans to mobilize against the destructive elements in the administration's proposal, the conferees stressed the importance of coalition building at the local level.

They followed up the meeting by visiting members of Congress to give them an up-close view of what is needed to achieve real welfare reform.