Nation's governors seek broad definition of welfare work rules.

A new gubernatorial task force is asking the administration to define work activities "broadly" under the new welfare law so states can stay flexible in their efforts to move people from welfare to work.

In addition, the governors are seeking more time for transition to help states adjust to the new requirements. Specifically, the governors asked that new regulations from the Health and Human Services Department allow states to calculate work participation rates under pre-regulation rules until fiscal year 2008.

"The goal of TANF [Temporary Assistance for Needy Families] should continue to be assisting families in becoming self-sufficient through increased work participation, not imposing penalties that ultimately reduce resources available for aiding these families," according to the National Governors' Association task force.

Flexibility Sought

Although many changes made in this year's reauthorization of welfare law "reflect worthy goals for states, the law's changes could restrict state flexibility, potentially impeding future progress of the TANF program," task force leaders wrote in a March 24 letter to HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt.

Governors are committed to implementing the new requirements, wrote task force Chairman Mike Huckabee (R), governor of Arkansas, and Vice Chair Janet ...