Joint Statement from State Representatives Shanelle Jackson (Detroit) and Rashida Tlaib (Detroit) on the Genesee County Circuit Court's Welfare Benefits Ruling:

“We are heartened by Genesee County Circuit Court’s sound, reasonable decision on the Michigan Department of Human Services’ (DHS) unilateral and unlawful implementation of a federal 60-month lifetime limit on welfare benefits. We agree with Circuit Judge Geoffrey Neithercut that while public dollars are ultimately meant to aid our unemployed neighbors in getting back on their feet, yet we recognize that other cases might require ongoing assistance - for example, disabled citizens. Thus, when the DHS and its director moved to set a lifetime cap of 60 months based on a federal rule, a move out of line with exceptions granted by the Michigan Legislature, the result proved not only unlawful, but was on track to harm nearly 38,000 vulnerable Michigan families who are unable to work because of disabilities or other barriers. We applaud the court’s willingness to put the law first and act decisively against this shameful DHS policy.”