(Washington Post) — Two D.C. Council members from impoverished areas of the city are proposing to end cash payments to long-term welfare recipients to save tax dollars and encourage more of their constituents to find work. The proposed five-year benefit limit, sponsored by council members Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) and Yvette M. Alexander (D-Ward 7), would bring the District in line with most other states, but the proposal is drawing warnings from advocates that it would lead to more homeless families, hungry children and crime. “For far too long, we have cradled a large part of the population, and our cradling has actually handicapped people,” Alexander said. “Many of our residents view government assistance as a way of life, and in my opinion we are actually hurting our residents instead of helping them.”
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