High court puts end to welfare disparity

Thursday, May 20, 1999 | 12:25 p.m.

The U.S. Supreme Court made the right decision this week when it struck down a California law that permitted lower welfare benefits for newcomers to the state than current residents. In addition to California, 14 other states had similar policies (Nevada is not one of them).

The case arose after three women, who had recently moved to California to escape abusive family relationships, challenged the law's constitutionality. In its 7-2 decision, the court found that citizens of the United States have a right to travel, choosing to be citizens of the state where they wish to live. "The states, however, do not have any right to select their citizens," Justice John Paul Stevens wrote for the court.

States shouldn't discriminate against newcomers when determining the amount of welfare benefits these citizens should receive. If a state believes its grants are too high and that they serve as a magnet, then the remedy is to simply lower benefits for all residents, not punish newcomers to the state.

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