Sunday, April 27, 2025

Bill Crawford: Model Utah Program Considered by Legislature Unfairly Denigrated

In a rare show of near unanimity, the Mississippi House and Senate agreed to establish a task force to study implementation of “one-door access for state resources and services.” The bill explains: “An integrated system of workforce and social services may more effectively serve Mississippians in escaping poverty through targeted supports and work to achieve dignity and self-sufficiency and strengthen Mississippi's economy.”

That means moving more non-working people into jobs.

The “one-door” approach was instituted in Utah in 1997 as “a true work-first approach” where “human services are treated as services supporting the attainment of work.”

A strong supporter of President Donald Trump, conservative Republican Congressman Burgess Owens of Utah favors this approach. “For too long, the federal government has stood in the way as states work to modernize their workforce and address the worker shortage slowing economic growth,” he said. “With millions of jobs unfilled and too many Americans sidelined, it’s clear our workforce systems are outdated.” He said Utah’s program “has proven this model works,” adding that it “streamlines access to jobs, training, and education.”

Not so fast, says Jonathan Bain in an article highlighted in the Magnolia Tribune. “Proponents of the ‘one-door’ policy aren’t forthcoming about the negative side effects a policy like this can have,” he wrote. Bain is a Senior Research Fellow at the Foundation for Government Accountability which has a reputation for denigrating social programs.

So, how forthcoming are Bain’s arguments?

One argument against Utah’s program is that Medicaid enrollment grew by 56% from 1997 to 2024 and “Medicaid spending has skyrocketed by 675 percent – nearly eight times larger than the year prior to ‘one-door’ going into effect.”

What Bain fails to mention is that Utah expanded Medicaid in 2020 which increased Medicaid enrollment by 58% from 2020 to 2023. Suggesting the one-door policy, not expansion, led to Medicaid growth is deceitful.

Bain also points to the 5% decline of Utah’s labor force participation rates from 1997 to 2024. The U.S. dropped 5% and Mississippi 6% over the same period. A further look shows most of Utah’s decline occurred during the 2008-2009 recession then continued to drop into 2012 – a pattern similar to the U.S. as well as Mississippi. Since 2012 Utah’s labor force participation rate has rebounded better than the U.S. average and about the same as Mississippi. With such patterns, it is hard to see how the one door-policy could be responsible for Utah’s decline.

“Utah’s approach is worth replicating,” contends conservative source RealClearPolicy.com.

Hopefully, our legislators will look deeper into Utah’s results than Bain did. Mississippi needs an effective work-first program.

“Do not spread false reports,” – Exodus 23:1.

Crawford is the author of A Republican’s Lament: Mississippi Needs Good Government Conservatives.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just what Mississippi needs - a new government program to sign more people up for government programs!

Anonymous said...

They penned "dignity," but where is "inclusive" and "equity?"

Anonymous said...

This here's proof the legislature has decided to change their ways. Should be a successful policy.

Anonymous said...

They really should consider hiring Harvey Johnson to lead this "task force" to "study" things. He's the best at that.

Anonymous said...

Billy, you write the first BIG check to cover your big government program!

Anonymous said...

... which has a reputation for denigrating social programs.

Nothing needs to be said about Crawford's reputation.

Anonymous said...

I have worked since 10 years old and now I am 60.. I never had any help or a special door to go through

Anonymous said...

One-stop shopping for free shit for the lazy entitled free-loading crowd.

Anonymous said...

There are no two states more different demographically and financially than Utah and Mississippi, so I am absolutely sure that it will work very well here.

Anonymous said...

Republican version of DEI?

Anonymous said...

I started at 12 and retired at 65. Equal opportunities, but not equal outcomes.

Anonymous said...

Yet another example of why MS should not expand Medicaid.

Anonymous said...

Nine most feared words in America “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.” Ronald Reagan

Anonymous said...

I'm pretty sure Crawford was at the Sun 'n Sand back in '69 when the state had what we called 'One Stop Shop'.

All the resources we could gather up under one umbrella was supposed to eradicate unemployment, poverty and, as I recall, even gout.

Job Search, Work Incentive (welfare), Medicaid...all wrapped upped in a package and available down to the Job Service Office.

Millions upon millions of federal Department of Labor funds. You remember, Bill....Don't lie!

Anonymous said...

The biggest welfare recipient in state history is selling his house for $14 million.

Anonymous said...

Who would that be selling his home for $14,000,000?

Anonymous said...

Oh heavens! Let me clutch my pearls and whine like a snowflake. We must not make accessing government services convenient and simple for folks who need them! "Are there no prisons and workhouses? Well, let them die then and rid the world of its surplus population", Ebeneezer Scrooge.

Anonymous said...

I've often wondered why there is such as byzantine system of requesting government services and assistance from a half dozen or so offices where all ask for much the same information and cases are adjudicated by different personalities. It makes it far more complex than is ultimately necessary and at times comes across as much of a jobs program for minimally educated professionals as it is an assistance program for the poor.


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If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

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