Resource: Reforming Welfare after Welfare Reform -- Reynolds v. Giuliani

Part I of this Recent Development provides background on welfare in New York City and describes conditions at the Job Centers. Part II describes the Reynolds litigation from the filing of the complaint through the judge's third major opinion. Part III analyzes the Reynolds court's attempt to compel institutional change in the context of the new discretionary regime. This Recent Development argues that while Reynolds to some extent demonstrates the continuing effectiveness of utilizing reform litigation to assert the rights of poor people, courts must be vigilant in rooting out improper uses of discretion in the new federal welfare regime.