State of Arizona Archives: on Welfare & Poverty


Doug Ducey: End `grandmother penalty' in foster care compensation

We have to stand up for kids in foster care and that means making sure that no matter the failings of their parents, they and their caregivers have the resources they need. In many cases, a grandmother actually receives fewer dollars to raise her own grandchild, than a stranger would. That's wrong. This session, let's end the Grandmother Penalty and keep more families together.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Arizona legislature Jan 11, 2016

Doug Ducey: 12 months extra food stamps if you're looking for a job

All too often government incentivizes being out of a job--rather than getting a job. We've seen the effects of this at the federal level, and it's been a disaster: Too many Americans on food stamps and living in poverty, because politicians in Washington have focused on policies that hold people down, instead of ones that lift people up.

So why not reward those who are making an honest effort to get off unemployment, or food stamps, or welfare. Those who are looking for work, making sure the kids do their homework, and trying to stop the cycle of poverty.

For Arizonans who are actively looking for a job, who are getting their kids to school--let's extend them up to 12 additional months of cash assistance, known as TANF, as a bridge out of poverty and into a better life.

Source: 2017 State of the State address to Arizona Legislature Jan 9, 2017

Katie Hobbs: Combine assistance programs under fewer agencies

Katie Hobbs will order a probe of all government agencies in search of inefficient, duplicative, and wasteful spending. Hobbs will expect a report from each department on these inefficiencies and a plan to eliminate them. This will help lower costs for everyday Arizonans and ensure every tax dollar is being thoughtfully used to improve the lives of the citizens we serve.

We need to cut government bloat to ensure everyday Arizonans are able to get assistance and lower costs for Arizona taxpayers. Families often interact with several state agencies to receive critical assistance, including the Department of Economic Security, Department of Child Safety, AHCCCS, and the Department of Housing. She will combine life changing services under fewer agencies to make government efficient for families to get the help they need.

Source: 2022 Arizona Gubernatorial campaign website KatieHobbs.org Dec 20, 2021

Kyrsten Sinema: Marriage promotion for welfare recipients is offensive