Welfare reform is no exception.
But despite resistance from those who would preserve the status quo, in New York City we remain committed to the fundamental principles that have guided our reforms from the very beginning. Welfare began with the best of intentions. But beginning in the 1960s, a new philosophy took hold, especially in New York City, a philosophy that encouraged people to become dependent on government rather than move toward self-sufficiency. It remained above 800,000 each day for three decades, not dropping below that point until last February and frequently exceeding one million. The only plan that the prior administration had offered to deal with this growing problem was to seek more federal assistance.