State officials said the Governor was concerned about controlling social welfare spending.

So much for the lies about welfare spending getting out of control.

The budget allocated $131.6 billion to social security and welfare spending.

In reality, welfare spending represents a relatively small percentage of the state budget.

For example, welfare spending increased a total of $73 million since 1990, he said.

All told, the changes restored more than a quarter of the cuts in welfare spending made by the 1996 law.

For example, he said, Congress should not require states to maintain their current levels of welfare spending.

How will current welfare spending be maintaining in such an environment.

In 1935-40, welfare spending accounted for 49% of the federal, state and local government budgets.

Opinion had turned strongly against the Democrats in the last year, primarily over welfare spending.