I was fortunate in December 2003, upon appointment to Commissioner, that I had Bob Labbe working as a resource in the department to facilitate a smooth transition from one administration to the next. Appointed Deputy Commissioner in January 2004, Bob has played a critical role in helping set a course for the future of DHSS.

Today, however, I want to share Bob's announcement that after nine years with DHSS he is retiring, effective June 1. Bob's untiring efforts in Medicaid reform and refinancing have proven invaluable to this department. Bob was instrumental in the development of enhanced working relationships with the Alaska Native tribal health system to encourage the provision of Medicaid services. In addition, his insight on the inner workings of the department, and how to improve and find efficiencies while retaining services, have helped us continue to accomplish our mission during challenging financial times.

The questions were fired in rapid succession.
What's the law of supply and demand?
What's the goal of any business?
How can profits be increased?

Though it sounded like an introductory economics class, it's the latest effort in Lucas County's welfare-to-work transition. It's called business boot camp, and it's designed to teach longtime recipients of welfare benefits how their behavior on the job affects the bottom line.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate on Tuesday voted an additional $6 billion for child care for welfare recipients and the working poor as part of a bill to renew the landmark 1996 welfare reform law.
The measure easily won Senate passage, 78-20. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and 30 other Republicans voted for it, but the Bush administration opposes the provision and House Republicans did not include it in the version of the legislation that passed the House last year.

WASHINGTON, March 21 - In a trend that has surprised many experts, the federal welfare rolls have declined over the last three years, even as unemployment, poverty and the number of food stamp recipients have surged in a weak economy.

After Congress overhauled the nation's welfare system in 1996, the number of families receiving benefits dropped much faster than federal and state officials had expected. Even more remarkable, officials say, the rolls did not grow during the recession of 2001 or the sluggish economy since.

WASHINGTON - Sunshine and warm temperatures aren't the only lures for retirees. They also want cheaper housing and some elbow room, and that has made places like Colorado, Idaho, Utah and New Mexico increasingly attractive to the over-65 set.

Each of those states saw its senior population grow by at least 6 percent between 2000 and 2003, placing them among the 10 fastest-growing states for that age group, according to Census Bureau figures being released Wednesday.