Work requirements in welfare reform proposed by the George W. Bush administration would impose much tougher work requirements on welfare recipients. Seventy percent of all adults would be required to work 40 hours per week, versus the 50 percent who are required to work 30 hours per week currently. In addition, states would be given little leeway and less federal money, after inflation, to meet the requirements. Researchers have examined the effects of alternative welfare-to-work strategies such as job skills training and transitional jobs and found that they have a far greater impact on increasing subsequent employment than do workfare programs. An examination of welfare policy in New York City found that an over-reliance on workfare resulted in the following: crowding out of more effective programs that are more likely to lead to permanent, unsubsidized employment and higher future earnings; creating a cadre of second-class workers without good wages or benefits; raising union objections about the risks of displacing regular city workers; and failing to guarantee fundamental worker protections. Recommendations for federal welfare reauthorization, which would retain existing work requirements, but strengthen incentives, flexibility and resources available to the states, include the following: (1) maintain reasonable, flexible work requirements; (2) enhance state flexibility; (3) provide sufficient resources to strengthen supports that enable parents to succeed at home and at work; and (4) promote fairness for all taxpayers and strengthen accountability. (MO)