House committee backs resolution urging federal flexibility for state-led welfare innovation

The House Revenue and Taxation Standing Committee on Tuesday recommended SCR 7, a concurrent resolution that asks Congress to give states more flexibility to design programs that reduce benefit cliffs and help families move from government assistance to employment. The sponsor told members Utah’s unified approach and high upward mobility make the state well suited to test reforms.

The sponsor said the resolution conveys three points to the federal government: that Utah has unusually high upward mobility and a one-door workforce-services model; that federal program structures and benefit cliffs can trap families; and that states should have greater authority to innovate to reduce chronic poverty. "We are good at helping people get out of poverty in Utah, but we think we could do even more," the sponsor said during presentation.

Nick Dunn, vice president of strategy and senior fellow at the Sutherland Institute, told the committee he supports the measure and described Utah’s Department of Workforce Services as a ‘‘one-door’’ model that helps connect families to work. He said adding authority for state-level experiments could help return more families to self-reliance.

Committee members broadly welcomed the resolution. Representative Kristofferson suggested stronger language urging the federal government to "do your job and do it better," while Representative Nguyen praised Utah’s upward mobility data and called the proposal ‘‘the Utah way.’’ With no public speakers registered, Representative Lisonbee moved to favorably recommend SCR 7; the motion passed by voice vote and the chair ruled it unanimous.

The committee’s recommendation sends the policy statement to the House floor and provides a sign of legislative support for the concept. As a concurrent resolution, SCR 7 does not change state law but urges federal action and signals state interest in waivers or pilot authority.