The program would provide generous health and child-care subsidies to all working-poor families, not just those on welfare.

On the other side was the Assembly's Democratic leader, who favored cuts directed to working-poor families and small businesses.

For working-poor families and their children, government decision-makers should rethink proposed cuts to rental programs like Section 8 housing vouchers.

Mr. Bradley's aides said his minimum wage and tax proposals would typically increase the incomes of working-poor families by $2,000 to $3,000 a year.

He would immediately implement a tax credit for working-poor families that is scheduled to be phased in over three years.

Moreover, the majority of working-poor families have never received welfare.

Middle class and working-poor families benefit the most from the personal exemption and the standard deduction.

And for the first time, two-parent working-poor families not on welfare will qualify.

As part of his economic plan in 1993, Clinton expanded the credit to millions more working-poor families.

But it stands handsomely renewed now and occupied for the last three years by 35 welfare-free, working-poor families.