Reps. Robertson, Ehardt, Pappageorge, Pastor, Shaffer, LaJoy, Taub, Brandenburg, Vander Veen, Voorhees, Hager, Acciavatti, Caswell, Caul, DeRossett, Farhat, Garfield, Huizenga, Hummel, Julian, Meyer, Middaugh, Shulman, Tabor, Richardville, Sak and Kooiman offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 61.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States and the United States Department of Health and Human Services to develop a mechanism to prevent TANF money from being used for the purchase of alcohol and tobacco products.

            Whereas, While many improvements have been made over the years in revamping the manner in which we provide help to people in need, situations remain that are frustrating to administrators of public assistance programs and many among the general population of the country.  One of the recurring challenges is devising a means of encouraging independence in people who are in need by allowing them to make decisions without financing habits that are clearly neither productive nor healthy.  Chief among these frustrations is the purchase of alcohol and tobacco products with public money; and

            Whereas, With the advent of electronic benefits cards for recipients of TANF assistance, there are probably more options available to restrict the purchase of alcohol and tobacco products.  Policymakers and administrators need to make every effort to prohibit, to the extent possible, TANF money from financing habits that can be serious impediments to a person seeking to gain control of his or her life and future; and

            Whereas, It is important to remember that public perceptions of the effectiveness of assistance programs are shaped by the daily encounters citizens have in their neighborhoods and grocery stores.  The majority of recipients using TANF money prudently can suffer from the inappropriate actions of a few; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States and the United States Department of Health and Human Services to develop a mechanism to prevent TANF money from being used for the purchase of alcohol and tobacco products; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the members of the Michigan congressional delegation, and the United States Department of Health and Human Services.