From The Guardian UK
By Kevin Freking

WASHINGTON (AP) – Kevin McGuire estimates that 18,000 welfare recipients in Maryland have entered the work force during the past two years. “If that’s failing, I’m guilty,” said McGuire, who oversees the state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

But under proposed changes to the nation’s welfare laws, McGuire and his employees will have a lot of work to do over the coming year, or Washington could withhold millions of dollars.

Congress is expected soon to approve legislation that requires states to place at least half of their welfare families in jobs or approved training programs.

Only 10 states meet that requirement, according to the latest statistics compiled by the federal government. Some state are not close: Maryland, 9.1 percent; Pennsylvania, 9.9 percent; and West Virginia, 14.2 percent.

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