Andrew Cuomo on Welfare & Poverty 2002 Democratic Challenger NY Governor

Moral imperative to maintain safety net in difficult times

These are difficult times. Families are stretched beyond their limits. Many families, often for the first time, find that they may have to rely on the social safety net to survive and our most vulnerable members of society have become even more vulnerable. Fiscal constraints have required tough choices, and many states have made deep cuts to programs that serve the most vulnerable in society need the most. Today the safety net is showing strain, when it needs to be strong enough to support a population in need.

Especially in times of crisis, we must continue to provide social safety net services, such as food and shelter to those in need. It is a moral imperative.