Dear members of the Health and Human Services Committee, Please support LDs 182, 183, 268, 364 and 454 this session. It's time to take welfare reform seriously and protect public resources for the truly needy. Since the pandemic, Maine's economy has really struggled and tens of thousands have left the workforce. While many of these individuals were retirees or near-retirees, there are still thousands of working age Mainers who are missing from the workforce. These reform bills are necessary to get Maine back to work, revitalize our economy, and improve the well-being of individual citizens through the power of work. Everyone should contribute to society if they are able. There is no reason for able-bodied, childless adults to sit on the sidelines while everyone else works and foots the bill for them. There should be time limits on welfare programs to ensure they are not abused. In addition, there should be residency requirements to ensure Mainers receive the assistance they need and the state doesn't hand out benefits to fraudulent claimants. Please support welfare reform this session to preserve resources for the truly needy, prevent fraud and abuse of the welfare system, and get Maine back to work. Please vote "Ought to Pass" on LDs 182, 183, 268, 364, and 454 this session. Thank you for your consideration.

Dear members of the Health and Human Services Committee, Please support LDs 182, 183, 268, 364 and 454 this session. It's time to take welfare reform seriously and protect public resources for truly needy Mainers. Since the pandemic, Maine's economy has taken a real hit and tens of thousands have left the workforce. While many of these individuals were retirees or near-retirees, there are still thousands of working age Mainers who are missing from the workforce. These reform bills are necessary to get Maine back to work, revitalize our economy, and improve the well-being of individual citizens through the power of work. Everyone should contribute to society if they are able. There is no reason for able-bodied, childless adults to sit on the sidelines while everyone else works and foots the bill for them. There should be time limits on welfare programs to ensure they are not abused, and there should be residency requirements to ensure only Mainers receive the assistance they need and the state doesn't hand out benefits to fraudulent claimants. Please support welfare reform this session to preserve resources for the truly needy, prevent fraud and abuse of the system, and get Maine back to work. Please vote "Ought to Pass" on LDs 182, 183, 268, 364, and 454 this session. Thank you for your consideration.