New Welfare Restrictions Target Booze, Tattoos

A growing number of states across the U.S. are blocking welfare recipients from spending their benefits on such things as booze, strippers, casino gambling and tattoos.

Supporters of such laws say they are necessary to prevent abuse of the taxpayers' money.

But advocates for the poor say the notion of any widespread abuse is a myth, and such laws are based on stereotypes about people on welfare. They say many welfare recipients are single mothers struggling just to get by.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)