Anti-poverty activists concerned about a welfare reform proposal are asking Utah legislators to oppose it. And the Utah American Civil Liberties Union has promised it will "seriously consider suing" the state if the legislation passes.

At issue is the "Self-Esteem Through Self-Reliance" plan, which will be sponsored by Reps. Jeff Alexander, R-Provo, and Doyle Mortimer, R-Orem. The measure puts a two-year lifetime limit on welfare, limits education and training time and puts a cap on grant size so that anyone who has a child while on welfare will not receive any grant increase.That measure gives the ACLU heartburn, according to executive director Carol Gnade, who spoke during a news conference Monday at the state Capitol, which was sponsored by JEDI women. JEDI stands for Justice, Economic Dignity and Independence.

The proposal, which if passed would begin as a demonstration project, raises constitutional issues, she said.

The ACLU maintains it violates the right to privacy (specifically reproductive rights) and the equal-protection clause of the Constitution.

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The bill has "significant legal issues the legislators would be irresponsible to ignore," Gnade said.

Michelle Miller, director of Justice for Children, said the bill would punish children unfairly for their parents' problems. And she questioned why the state seems to have unlimited time and money to give to parents who are abusive to their children, but not to those who are struggling to become self-sufficient.

The Rev. Janet Swift, pastor at Trinity AME Church, said that there are biblical references "too numerous to mention" on caring for the poor. And she said recent suggestions for reform "pit the haves against the have-nots."

An interim subcommittee will consider the bill Tuesday at 1 p.m. in the state Capitol.

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