An enlarging welfare population is a societal problem that should be addressed. Public welfare is too attractive because it provides a livable income. Minimum wage does not.

An obvious solution — to reduce welfare benefits and increase minimum wage — is neither fair nor judicious if employers must bear the higher cost of minimum wage. State government could, with money saved from reduced welfare benefits, augment the minimum wage.

The major source of welfare funding, before passing through the sticky hands of the federal government, comes from the wallets of Maine taxpayers. Conditionally returned to Maine, it comes with the restrictions of a federally-designed welfare plan. If state officials could obtain that funding in an unrestricted block grant and use it as state officials see fit, a creative reform of welfare could be accomplished.

Even lacking federal cooperation, Maine should strive to reduce the enlarging welfare population. Because of liberal welfare benefits, liberal welfare eligibility requirements and the low cost of housing, Maine and the local community, attracted a welfare population. Costs for public education and other public services increased accordingly.

The state must continue to provide a safety net to all its citizens who find themselves in desperate circumstances, whether born here or newcomers, but the importation of new welfare recipients should be discouraged.

Unfortunately, Maine and Lewiston-Auburn are still attractive destinations. The Legislature should further limit welfare eligibility to three years. That should stabilize the welfare population and reduce costs.

Dick Sabine, Lewiston