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LePage Wants to Make Tough Welfare Regulations the Law

AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine Republican Gov. Paul LePage is backing a bill that would make some of his administration's tough welfare regulations into law.
 
Such restrictions include photographs on electronic benefits cards and denying food assistance to certain households with $5,000 in assets.
 
The bill would limit a household's eligibility for temporary benefits to three years instead of five years.
 
Individuals convicted of welfare fraud would no longer be able to receive benefits, while their children could access such benefits through another designated individual.
 
Democrats have resisted and supported Republicans' past reform efforts.
 
But Democrats say these reforms have driven families and children deeper into poverty. They say they support programs like accessible child care.