New York's average per capita monthly cost for each welfare recipient is about $1,200, almost twice the national average.
Runner-up Oregon is a distant second at $900 monthly.
New York State also leads the nation in numbers with a total of 1.1 million on welfare (roughly the population of the Capital Region), even after a recent reduction of some 300,000 due to reform measures.
Why is the cost of welfare in New York State so high? How do changes under state welfare reform affect welfare recipients?
These and other questions will be considered in a panel discussion among the state's major players in welfare titled “Welfare Reform in New York State: Can it Succeed?” on Wednesday, May 6, at 3 p.m. in Union College's Nott Memorial.
The Nott Memorial will be closed to study that day.
Union students are invited, but seating is limited, so reservations are encouraged. For reservations, call Rhonda Sheehan at 388-6238.
The event is sponsored by Union's Graduate Management Institute as another in a series of topics on statewide issues of importance. It will be taped by WMHT Educational Telecommunications for later broadcast on New York public television stations.
The taping will run from 3 to 6 p.m. (Attendees are asked to arrive by 2:50 p.m.) A limited number of questions from the audience will be taken after the panel discussion.
Discussants will be available for interviews after the program.
Joining moderator Ed Dague of WNYT – NewsChannel 13, will be:
Thomas W. Carroll, president, CHANGE-NY
Peter Cove, founder, AMERICA WORKS
Aaron R. Dare, president and CEO, Urban League of Northeastern New York Inc.
Lawrence W. Mead, professor of politics, New York University
Deborah W. Merrifield, commissioner, Erie County Department of Social Services
Richard P. Nathan, director, Rockefeller Institute
Karen Schimke, executive director, State Communities Aid Association
Brian J. Wing, commissioner, NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance