This legislation, which was approved in the state House on May 12, would ensure Michigan residents are working, receiving job training or going to college, Horn said.

“(It is) important for people to transfer from welfare into work,” he said. “People who are given jobs or trained have every expectation of coming off (of welfare).”

Horn said his bill also allows residents to work for more hours and still be eligible for welfare as well as streamlines Michigan’s Jobs, Education and Training program.

“The last thing we want to hear is, ‘I’m quitting work because I’m earning more on welfare,’” he said.

There are “jobs aplenty” available for Michigan residents on the hunt, Horn said.

But House Minority Leader Richard Hammel, D-Mt. Morris Twp., who voted against the bill, disagrees that jobs readily are available. Everyone wants a job, he said.

“Right now, there’s just not that much happening,” Hammel said.

Associate sociology professor Toby Ten Eyck said he thinks supporting lawmakers who believe this legislation would force people off welfare and into employment have good intentions. But most of the people on welfare don’t want to be on welfare, they just can’t find employment, he said.

“Getting an education (and) getting job skills takes time and money,” Ten Eyck said. “In their heart of hearts, (legislators) believe they made a good law, but in reality, this doesn’t change (welfare recipients’) situation.”

Opponents of this legislation have said the limit could lead to increased crime rates.

Typically when opportunities for people are cut off, they turn to illegal ways of doing things, Ten Eyck said.

“They have to eat, (and) they have to live,” he said. “You can throw your hands up and become homeless, or you can take the opportunities you have — sell drugs, (turn to the) black market, steal.”

There also is worry the limit unfairly would hurt people with disabilities, victims of domestic violence and children. Hammel said he estimates 25,000 children would lose assistance because of this legislation.

But Horn said it is important to note his legislation only deals with cash assistance. It would not affect children’s health care or food assistance, he said.

Though it is estimated this legislation would save the state more than $50 million in general fund money, Ten Eyck said lawmakers must consider its other effects as well.

“It’s going to put an extra burden on the system,” he said. “If (recipients) turn to crime, if they turn to career services, are there the resources to help these people?”

Recent college graduates, who sometimes turn to welfare for a few months at a time while they search for employment, also could be affected by this legislation. If job availability or downsizing prompts these graduates to receive cash assistance for a few months on multiple occasions, they might begin to worry they soon will reach their 48-month limit, and without the possibility of the safety net welfare provides, they could decide to leave the state and look for employment elsewhere, Ten Eyck said.

Horn’s bill simply would cause more hardship and grief for those who already are struggling, Hammel said.

“I think this was a very dramatic move for political purposes,” he said. “It may save the state a little bit of money, but where are these people going to go?”