FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MAINE GOVERNOR RECEIVES NATIONAL EXECUTIVE OF YEAR AWARD FOR ANTI-POVERTY LEADERSHIP
AWARD HONORS LEADERSHIP IN PROMOTING WORK, COMBATING LONG-TERM DEPENDENCE
Maine Gov. Paul LePage was honored with the 2016 Executive of the Year Award from the Foundation for Government Accountability Monday for his leadership in championing reforms that promote self-reliance and combat long-term dependency in the Pine Tree State.
Since he took office, LePage has worked tirelessly to reform Maine’s welfare program to encourage independence and provide opportunities to help return recipients back to meaningful work. He also blocked ObamaCare’s Medicaid expansion from coming to the state, which would have swelled the welfare rolls with able-bodied adults, threatening the stability of the program that serves the state’s truly needy. His common-sense reforms, like work requirements, have helped more than double the incomes of those moved from welfare, raising them an average of 114 percent.
“The goal of our social safety net is to support those who truly cannot help themselves, and to help those who stumble get back up as quickly as possible,” said Tarren Bragdon, FGA CEO. “Gov. LePage has achieved this with common-sense welfare reforms for Maine.”
“Welfare works best when it’s geared towards helping people achieve independence fast and feel the pride that only comes through a job. That’s why work requirements and other welfare reforms enjoy strong bi-partisan support.”
Gov. LePage is the only governor in the country being recognized by the FGA for his work in 2016 with the annual award. Last year, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback was recognized for his pro-prosperity state reforms.
###
