Governor Kay Ivey quietly increased the monthly benefit paid to recipients of Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) in Alabama from $215 to $344 last year. This move was a welcome step forward for the state, as the payment had not been raised since 2002. The increase was aimed at benefiting more Alabama children and families in need.
Despite the positive impact of the benefit increase, it was not widely publicized by Governor Ivey or her office. This lack of promotion may be attributed to the skepticism and lack of support for programs like TANF in the Alabama Legislature.
The political climate in Alabama often downplays or even spins positive news as negative, such as the expansion of health care coverage or the shutdown of coal plants to reduce pollution. The power structure in the state seems to view assistance for the needy as a sign of weakness, leading to a lack of support for programs that aim to help those in need.
Overall, the increase in TANF benefits was a positive step towards assisting the most vulnerable in Alabama, but it also sheds light on the challenges faced in promoting and supporting anti-poverty measures in a state with a complex political landscape.
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Photo credit alabamareflector.com