Welfare Reform Concerns Officials in Stanton

In a city already considering sizable cuts in police and fire services, council members are concerned that welfare reform could place new demands on the budget and further endanger public safety funding.

Mayor Brian Donahue will lead a council discussion Tuesday on welfare reform and its potential effects on the city.

“We need to be aware that something is going to happen,” Donahue said. “Welfare reform is going to cause people to lose their welfare checks and their food stamps. So what are they going to do? How will they pay their rent? How will they buy their food?”

The League of California Cities has warned that impending welfare reform could create an increased demand for city and school district programs that serve the poor, along with the need for more homeless shelters, public transportation and child care.

“It’s a real sticky issue for a city of our size,” Councilman Al Ethans said. “I’m sure we have our share--and then some--of welfare recipients. There are going to be some major adjustments by many of the families in our neighborhoods.”

Donahue, who oversees curriculum at the Los Angeles Regional Occupational Program, said “welfare-to-work” programs will be unable to cope with the number of individuals who have lost welfare benefits.

“Cities may be forced to provide some sort of relief,” Donahue said. “We must consider the potential impact of this on our budget.”

Council members are urging residents to approve a public safety services fee on June 3 that is intended to replace the city’s current 5% utility tax and offset projected losses from Proposition 218. If voters reject the fee, some council members fear that the city’s police and fire services may have to be cut by a third.

Proposition 218, passed by voters in November, requires a two-thirds approval for most local taxes and fees as of July 1. State welfare reform will add to the budget problems set in motion by Proposition 218, city officials say.