Welfare Program Stat More Misleading than Wrong

Good for Politifact for calling foul on Rep. Patricia Morgan’s misuse of the old talking point that welfare programs account for more than 40 percent of the state budget.

First of all, her numbers were flat our wrong. As Politifact points out, her definition of welfare programs is quite broad. It includes “such spending as Federal Emergency Management Agency payments for storm cleanups as well as the legislative grants representatives and senators give out to such groups as Little League teams in their districts.”

The actual number, argues the ProJo, is 31 percent. Still, the paper of record decides to award her a half-true.

Fair enough, given that Linda Katz, executive director of the Economic Progress Institute, agrees with the number. But, watch this video to learn what programs are actually behind that number, who is actually fitting the bill and what some of the consequences would be of cuts to these programs.