Meet the Woman Who Oversaw Maine’s Welfare Reform

Melissa Quinn / May 09, 2016

For Mary Mayhew, reforming the state’s welfare system hasn’t been easy. But the impact those reforms have had on Maine residents makes it all worth it.

Since joining Gov. Paul LePage’s administration in 2011, Mayhew, commissioner of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, and LePage, a Republican, have implemented changes to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and Electronic Benefit Transfer card programs. The state has since seen a decrease in the number of people on the welfare rolls.

But for Mayhew, Maine’s welfare reform has not been met without controversy.

The Daily Signal sat down with the commissioner to discuss the changes the state has seen since implementing its work requirement for those in the food stamp program.