Millions a year for marriage
By Michael J. McManus
March 19, 2006

I have not seen a single news story about it, but there is great news about marriage in America. For the first time, the federal government will invest $100 million a year to strengthen marriage over the next five years.

President Bush signed the law Feb. 8 as part of the reauthorization of Welfare Reform. It is not new money, but a reallocated funds poorly spent to reduce out-of-wedlock births, which rose from 1.2 million in 1995 to 1.4 million in 2003.

The key question is: Who will get the money? Most likely state and local welfare offices. Why? They know how to write applications for federal aid. However, they are the least likely to use the money well. In fact, their welfare rules and regulations have contributed mightily to the disintegration of marriage. The marriage rate has plunged 48 percent since 1970. The rest