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Email conversations about "ending hunger in Ohio through changing conditions which cause poverty"
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Advocates for reducing hunger |
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Hunger Network in Ohio |
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Triage among human services |
A version of the adage, “robbing Peter to pay Paul,” is being played out in Congress. You may have heard on the news these last couple of days that the US Senate had passed a provision to extend Medicaid health care benefits and keep in place a variety of public employees-including teachers, fire fighters, and police-whose jobs had been rescued earlier through the stimulus program. However, of the $26 billion relief that HB 1586 will bring to state budgets, nearly half will be extracted from a recent boost in food stamps for needy families.
Although Senate leadership has expressed regret over the spectacle of “either/or” battle and the prospect of cutting the food stamp program (SNAP), they showed little evidence of progress before packing up for vocation. And with the House being yanked back from summer recess next week to vote on the same bill, there is little assurance that, in this contest pitting jobs against food, ultimately Paul's gain won't be Peter's loss.
First, enlist your church and other organizations to sign on to a letter protesting any reduction to the food stamp program here. (although August 5th is listed as a deadline and expediency is encouraged, signers will continue to be recognized and updates published through out this debate)
Second, plead with Senator Brown to work with his well-intentioned Senate colleagues to deliver on their pledges to “fix this mess”:
Third, ask your House representative not to pass HB 1586 before removing the $11.9 billion cut to food stamps: www.house.gov (by putting in your zip code in the box at the upper left hand corner)
It seemed like a reason for celebration on Thursday when the Senate closed debate (61-39) and Friday when they voted the same again to provide $26 billion extra assistance to retain 150,000 teachers ($10 billion) and other public workers who might otherwise lose jobs to cutbacks, and an additional $16 billion to help states struggling to close budget deficits.
Yes,…but
However, a little digging reveals that the bill relies on cutting $11.9 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, (SNAP) formerly known as food stamps.
For Ohio to receive its share of $530 million for Medicaid, which covers health costs for the poor, and $362 million in education money, which would pay for an estimated 5,000 teachers, will cost a family of four $59 monthly reduction in food stamps by the end of four years. More than 1.6 million Ohioans currently rely on food stamps with an average monthly benefit of $140. Nationwide, more than 40 million receive food stamps.
Advocate for the poorest of the poor, while acknowledging the value of HB 1586 to promote health and retain employment, yet condemn the “pay as you go formula” ultimately as applied here as penalizing families struggling to put enough food on the table.
FRAC initiative
The Food Research and Action Committee (FRAC), along with other national groups, strongly opposes using SNAP funding to pay for other programs -- regardless of the merits of those other positive proposals. SNAP/Food Stamp cuts should never be used as a way to pay for legislation.
To push back against these efforts, FRAC is circulating a national, state and community-based organization sign-on letter that has been signed by over 1,000 groups (including the Hunger Network in Ohio).
Congressional leaders and the White House need to hear a strong message from groups across the country that Congress should not be making it even harder for struggling families to purchase healthy food.
Message for legislators:
The proposals would cut short a boost in benefits included in the Economic Recovery Act and return benefits to lower levels at which families often run out of food in the third or early in the fourth week of the month. The cut would increase hunger and obesity by making it even harder for struggling families to purchase healthy, adequate, food.
Taking money from the neediest seniors, children and households in America is not an acceptable way to pay for other legislative priorities - regardless of the merits of those proposals. Economists and lawmakers agreed that the higher benefit level is needed to fight hunger and grow the economy. This is an investment we should protect, not raid.
Senate clears way for $26 billion in aid to states
Food-stamp backers trying to stop cuts
In the past two years, the number of Americans receiving benefits from SNAP
Senate Plans to Cut SNAP (Food Stamp) Benefits
Recent monitoring and counsel on FMAP. Have a Heart Ohio. August 4, 2010, Gayle Channing Tenenbaum. GTenenb@aol.com (see staff bios)
The fact that the proposed termination of the ARRA boost and reduction of families' monthly benefits… Have a Heart Ohio-August 4, 2010. Lisa Hamler-Fugitt. Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks: lisa@oashf.org. at www.oashf.org
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