A RESOLUTION urging the federal government to provide states with increased flexibility to design and test innovative approaches that reduce barriers to employment and promote economic self-sufficiency among individuals and families receiving public assistance.

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A RESOLUTION urging the federal government to provide states with increased 1
flexibility to design and test innovative approaches that reduce barriers to employment 2
and promote economic self -sufficiency among individuals and families receiving public 3
assistance. 4
WHEREAS, the General Assembly recognizes that sustained employment and 5
earned income are central to long -term economic stability for individuals, families, a nd 6
communities; and 7
WHEREAS, public assistance programs are intended to provide temporary support 8
during periods of economic hardship, while also encouraging participation in the 9
workforce when feasible; and 10
WHEREAS, in certain circumstances, the interacti on of income eligibility 11
thresholds across multiple public assistance programs may unintentionally discourage 12
wage advancement or additional work hours due to the abrupt reduction or loss of 13
benefits as earnings increase; and 14
WHEREAS, these interactions may create not only sudden losses of assistance, but 15
also extended periods in which increased earnings do not meaningfully improve a 16
household’s overall financial position; and 17
WHEREAS, states are often best positioned to understand the workforce, 18
economic, and demographic conditions affecting their residents and to tailor policy 19
responses accordingly; and 20
WHEREAS, greater flexibility under federal law would allow states to design, test, 21
and evaluate alternative approaches that better align public assistance programs with 22
pathways to employment, wage progression, and self-sufficiency; and 23
WHEREAS, allowing states to pursue time -limited demonstrations, pilots, or 24
waivers may encourage innovation while maintaining accountability for outcomes related 25
to employment, income growth, and program efficiency; and 26
WHEREAS, the Kentucky General Assembly has convened a Benefits Cliff Task 27
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Force to study state -level interventions necessary to mitigate the effects of these cliffs, 1
having returned recommendations to the legislature that have subsequently been made 2
into law; and 3
WHEREAS, the ability of the Commonwealth and other states to effectively 4
address the benefits cliff is in some cases hampered by numerous, rigid federal 5
regulations and guidelines governing the various public assistance programs intended to 6
provide short-term assistance to needy individuals; and 7
WHEREAS, failing to mitigate the negative effects of the benefits cliff represents a 8
threat to the Commonwealth's fiscal stability and future economic prosperity; 9
NOW, THEREFORE, 10
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of the 11
Commonwealth of Kentucky: 12
Section 1. The House of Represe ntatives hereby urges the Congress of the 13
United States and the relevant federal agencies to expand opportunities for states to seek 14
flexibility, waivers, or demonstration authority under federal public assistance programs 15
for the purpose of reducing barriers to work and supporting earned income advancement. 16
Section 2. The House of Representatives believes that flexibility should allow 17
states to test approaches that promote gradual transitions from public assistance to se lf-18
sufficiency, while preserving program integrity and ensuring responsible stewardship of 19
public funds. 20
Section 3. The House of Representatives believes that the federal government 21
should streamline and consolidate repo rting requirements from the states for a wider 22
array of existing social safety net programs. 23
Section 4. The House of Representatives encourages federal policymakers to 24
recognize state-led innovation as a means to strengt hen workforce participation, support 25
employers, and improve economic outcomes for families striving to achieve long -term 26
stability. 27
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Section 5. The Clerk of the House of Representatives shall transmit a copy of 1
this Resol ution to the President of the United States, the Speaker of the United States 2
House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, and each 3
member of Kentucky’s congressional delegation. 4