Welfare

I wrote HB1908; it requires documentation of residency in Arkansas for at least 6 months before being eligible for welfare benefits. Currently, people who would take advantage of the

system can move to Arkansas with no intention of ever working and sign up for our

tax-funded benefits before they unpack. Under my bill, these people may choose not to move to Arkansas.

I co-sponsored HB1196/Act160, which now requires individuals to seek employment if they are receiving public housing.

"Medicaid spending will bankrupt this state if not brought under control!" I voted against several bills that would massively increase Medicaid and welfare spending.

One bill directs our state tax dollars to offer free breakfasts to children from affluent families, who neither need nor want school meals. This results in a waste of both food and tax money. Children from low-income families were already receiving free breakfasts funded by the federal government, while wealthy parents cover their own children's meals. Why should we face higher taxes to fund meals for these families?

Medicaid is socialized medicine; we all know how well that works. Medicaid is already provided to hundreds of thousands of able-bodied people who refuse to work. The Bible says if you don't work, you don't eat. I think you should not get taxpayer-funded free healthcare either. As a Republican, I will not support any bill that redistributes wealth, no matter how good it is named.