The Norman Transcript

Headlines

Discussion

February 13, 2013

Bill bans use of welfare cards in strip clubs, casinos, liquor stores

Transcript Staff The Norman Transcript

NORMAN — The Oklahoma Senate Committee on Health and Human Services on Monday gave unanimous approval to legislation that would ban the use of welfare cash cards at strip clubs, casinos and liquor stores.

Senate Bill 667, authored by Sen. Rob Standridge, would ensure that funds provided through programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families are used to provide meaningful help for families who need it most.

“Programs like TANF work best when the government establishes meaningful guidelines to ensure the funds are used to support families in need,” said Standridge, R-Norman. “If the government doesn’t establish those guidelines, welfare funds may subsidize harmful behaviors. This can have disastrous consequences for families, taking food from the table and furthering their need for assistance.”

Standridge said that by attaching common-sense requirements to programs like TANF, they can serve as an effective safety net.

“Requirements like this help direct public assistance to where it is most needed, while discouraging destructive behavior,” Standridge said. “I’m pleased this legislation has advanced and I’m grateful to my colleagues for their support.”

For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Headlines
  • Tornado 1 Norman fire chief says public storm facilities don’t offer adequate protection

    Oklahomans are always going to need a safe place to take cover when severe weather hits, as it so often does during the spring and summer months, but officials have found many problems tied to public shelters....

    June 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • Schools need better shelters during storms

    Analysis and improvement of schools’ storm procedures is nothing new for scholars like Stephanie Hoekstra, whose master’s thesis was based on this topic in 2011....

    June 18, 2013

  • Medical witness says Bransby could not have survived gunshot wound

    Evidence presented Monday during Day 4 of a manslaughter trial in Cleveland County District Court indicates that victim Kelsey Bransby was shot at close range. Bransby, 19, was found unconscious a few hours after being shot in the head on ...

    June 18, 2013

  • NPS budget anticipates $91M revenue

    The Norman Board of Education approved a Fiscal Year 2014 budget Monday that exceeds expected revenue by $3.1 million....

    June 18, 2013

  • County approves funding for nonprofit services

    Cleveland County commissioners approved agreements and funding for the Women’s Resource Center for $40,000 and with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for $62,000. Those agencies provide court services, commissioners said....

    June 18, 2013

  • Almost business as usual for Moore City Council

    The Moore City Council returned to normal business at Monday night’s meeting, dealing with zoning change requests and appointments to the parks board. The majority of city business, however, continues to deal with tornado recovery and ...

    June 18, 2013

  • Investors push stocks higher

    NEW YORK — Investors on Wall Street are playing a guessing game with the Federal Reserve. On Monday, they guessed that the central bank will continue trying to prop up the economy and sent stocks higher....

    June 18, 2013

  • WikiLeaks trial focuses on U.S. Army email list

    FORT MEADE, Md. — A huge database of troop names and email addresses an Army private allegedly downloaded to a personal computer could be used by foreign adversaries to launch cyberattacks on service members, a government witness said ...

    June 18, 2013

  • Prescription drug round-up scheduled

    The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office has scheduled their quarterly prescription drug round-up at the end of the month....

    June 18, 2013

  • Federal agents search land linked to Jimmy Hoffa case

    OAKLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Federal agents revived the hunt for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa on Monday, bringing excavation equipment to a field in suburban Detroit where a reputed Mafia captain says the Teamsters boss’ body was buried....

    June 18, 2013