Tennessee Democratic chief attacks GOP lawmaker's bill reducing cash benefits for parents on welfare

Monday, April 8, 2013

photo Sen. Roy Herron, D-Dresden

NASHVILLE - The head of the state Democratic Party today attacked a Republican lawmaker's bill that seeks to cut cash benefits for parents on welfare whose children don't attend or do poorly in school.

Chairman Roy Herron said the bill, sponsored Sen. Stacey Campfield, R-Knoxville, would better be named "Starve the Children" and denounced the measure as "perhaps the worst bill yet from the radical Republicans."

Campfield's bill, which has drawn national attention, would require parents or caretakers to adhere to a "personality responsibility plan" for their children. Failure to comply would result in the custodian's receiving a "child only" grant under the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.