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MPR News Staff

Welfare reform: 20 years later

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In 1996, welfare assistance changed dramatically. Across the U.S., low-income families were introduced to Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). The result was welfare reform that was — and still is — confusing and controversial.

Taking us through two decades of political and social change in welfare reform is Marketplace senior producer and editor of the Uncertain Hour podcast, Nancy Farghalli. Farghalli's podcast examines welfare reform in all states, and also looks at how welfare funds are now being spent.

MPR News host Tom Weber also spoke to the author of Minnesota's welfare reform and TANF legislation in 1997, former Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL). Hennepin County Commissioner Randy Johnson joined the conversation about what's worked, and what we should be thinking about in terms of welfare reform in the future.

Correction (Aug. 24, 2016): An earlier version of this story misstated Nancy Farghalli's title. She is a senior producer at Marketplace. The story has been updated.