Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback signs a welfare reform bill into law on April 16. The law tells recipients that they can’t use welfare benefits from the state to attend concerts, get tattoos or buy lingerie. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Re: “What Kansas gets wrong with welfare decision,” April 18 Emily Badger column.
Unless Emily Badger has worked in welfare, as I have for 12 years in another state, she has no idea what welfare clients spend their benefits on. Based on my caseload of 300 families, I can speak with authority on how benefits are spent. Kansas is right on.
I had a female client who drove a Mercedes Benz (the law allowed one vehicle) and parked it right in front of our office to rub our noses in it. I had a client who wore a full-length fur coat (not faux) to the office. I stood in grocery lines behind clients who, yes, purchased filet mignon, crab legs, etc. I had a client who had a $125 party dress. I have seen many of them eat at the best, most expensive restaurants in town. Some traded their benefits for alcohol and illicit drugs.
So, Ms. Badger, before you criticize Kansas’ decision, be sure you get your facts straight. Visit a welfare office for a day. And watch what folks purchase in the grocery lines and what they drive and wear.
Tom Smola,Littleton
This letter was published in the April 24 edition.
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