In doing a little research on what most of us commonly refer to as food stamps I found out something many people have forgotten. The idea of government assistance was supposed to be a stop gap measure to help people get back on their feet. The assistance was supposed to help people at a difficult time in their lives.

It was put in place to insure that no family would go without food when jobs were scarce and money was tight. In the past few generations food stamps have gone from a temporary solution to more a lifestyle. For many hard working people whose tax dollars support the program these generations with a handful of want and pocket full of gimme have really ruffled some feathers.

Thursday Governor John Bel Edwards took a big step toward changing the mentality of people living on the state's dime. He signed an executive order that would require food stamp recipients to seek and secure job training in order to receive their benefits.

They’re going to be required to participate in person at Louisiana Workforce Commission Business and Career Solutions Centers around the state and actively engage with these programs in skills and job training.

This executive order will begin July 1, 2016.

While many lawmakers urged the Governor to go one step further and require able bodied people to actually seek and maintain at least part time employment this is certainly a step in that direction.

Louisiana Workforce Commission Business and Career Solutions centers have been very successful in training and placing hundreds of thousands of participants over the past few years.

We are striking the right balance as we move Louisiana forward. Put people back to work. Do it in a compassionate way. Take advantage of the assistance we’ve been offered from the federal government.

There are 59 such centers located across the state. Chances are there is one in or near your hometown. According to a report published by the Louisiana Radio Network this executive order will affect some 47-thousand residents of our state.

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