Sandoval plan to get welfare recipients on payroll irks Democrats

By Cy Ryan

Friday, March 18, 2011 | 12:13 p.m.

CARSON CITY – Gov. Brian Sandoval’s proposal to spend $10 million to put welfare recipients back to work has come under attack from Democrats who suggest the program could function more efficiently.

Democrats also criticized other suggestions of the governor tied to the program.

Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-North Las Vegas, said he wouldn't approve any welfare budget until there is a plan for coordinating with the state's counties in accepting applications from potential recipients.

In Clark County, he said, a recipient would have to apply to Clark County Social Services, then submit another application to the state.

“We’re spending too much money for eligibility,” he said.

Asked why the double application program was in place, Romaine Gilliland, administrator of the state Division of Welfare and Supportive Services, said “We have not been committed to work to get to this end.” He said he hoped to create a unified application system.

The program calls for giving subsidies to small employers who hire public-assistance recipients. The subsidy likely would range from $2,000 to $4,000 a month.

Horsford said employers must keep the recipient on the job after the subsidy ends, and the recipient can't be a replacement for a worker already on the job.

Mike Willden, director of the state Health and Human Resources Department, said the welfare division will work with the state Employment Security Department in placing recipients on the job.

Sen. Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, said the welfare budget is being cut too much. “The impact is on our most valuable population,” she said.

Proposed spending for child care is being cut 70 percent. Leslie said the state can’t expect parents to go back to work if there is no assurance their children will be cared for.

The division is looking at a possible $2.1 million negative reserve at the end of the biennium. Horsford called the reduction a “callous disregard.”

Gilliland said there could be a possible monthly reduction of 5 percent for those in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

A reduction in federal funds would mean a cut of thousands of recipients who are receiving energy assistance.