A joint legislative committee is looking over Gov. Doug Ducey’s 2016 budget on Tuesday. Two proposals the governor supports are adding money to the budget for K-12 educations and allocating funds to cut the backlog of cases being held up at the Arizona Department of Child Services.
Democrats are also hoping to promote their bill to restore a program supporting families in need. Sen. Democrat Katie Hobbs said she hopes a bill expanding the Temporary Cash Assistance Program (TANF) will be considered this session.
Last year, Republicans approved reducing the amount of time allowed on TANF from two years to one. Hobbs said 2,700 children rely on TANF for support.
“Reducing these benefits will no help struggling families get out of poverty. It will only cause them to struggle more,” she said.
TANF recipients receive payments that average $200 a month per family. Democrats said restoring the program would cost the state about $4 million.