Praising Welfare Reform

There's a column on Christian Science Monitor by a couple of Harvard professors praising the 1996 welfare reforms based on an extensive study they've done of the results. Not to say that I haven't seen plenty of Harvard folks pushing questionable agendas, but this looks like a fairly well done study, although I haven't read through all of it (there's a link at the bottom of the article). It's always nice to see relatively unbiased research on hot-button political issues. The authors feel that the government did a nice job of supplementing the reduction in welfare support with new programs to provide support for low-wage working people, creating a carrot and stick effect. While they feel the 1996 bill has been a success, they are wary of any further efforts to reduce welfare supports.