And welfare experts argue that at a time when government is trying to move people off public assistance, the credit makes low-paying jobs more attractive.
Then the election campaign began, and politicians and economic and social welfare experts took a closer look.
At that time, many welfare experts doubted that the states could meet the law's work requirements.
That figure is believed to have increased by three times, social welfare experts say.
Even so, welfare experts in and out of the administration agree that the sanctions have had a significant downsizing effect.
But welfare experts say most advocates have supported those programs.
But of all the initiatives, mandatory drug testing has raised the most concern, especially among civil libertarians, social workers and welfare experts.
But there are risks that New York runs in rushing to submit a plan without consensus among state political leaders, according to welfare experts.
But welfare experts said the change would have limited impact.
To many welfare experts outside the political rough and tumble, it appears to be both.