Advocates Worry Food Aid Cuts Could Hurt Texas Families
As Congress debates proposed cuts to programs that help feed needy families and school children, some school officials and advocates for low-income families are concerned about how the changes could affect Texans who rely on food stamps and reduced price school lunches.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, provides food for 3.6 million Texans each year. But some lawmakers argue that the program has grown too large and become too expensive, and they are looking for ways to cut SNAP in the 2012 Farm Bill.
"A lot of Texas families rely on SNAP, especially now ...
Comments (13)
Luisa Inez Newton via Texas Tribune on Facebook
can't wait to see the homeless & hungry panhandling at the newly refreshed Governor's mansion....
Atech Homenet via Texas Tribune on Facebook
the immature conservative will have us all in soup lines confessing Jesus as our savior and claiming that the 'church' is the best at providing social stability-poppycock! Kingofallclergy Ed
Karen Spivey-Cummings via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Not to mention the impact it will have on the economy/grocery stores.
Kim Burkett via Texas Tribune on Facebook
So the home to big oil, some of the most profitable corporations in the US, and the so-called Texas Miracle can't afford to feed its hungry, educate its children, or build a damned road without federal aid or loans? Does anyone see anything inherently wrong with that? The Texas "leadership" isn't capable of governing the sophomore class of a 1A high school, let alone one of the largest and fastest growing states in the nation. Texas government = EPIC FAIL!
Anya Khan
One problem is that often a household has numerous non-qualified residents who are counted in the financial equation. They income is reported a $0.00, since they are paid off-tax. The one qualified (legal) resident gets benefits for all 6 residents.
Meme Me
That's why one anchor baby is worth it's wait in gold.
Meme Me
I see many use the free food to subsadize their lifestyle...
New cars, expensive cell phones, electronics, designer shoes and clothes.
I can't afford these things because I pay for my children's food.
A friend saw someone buying hoards of meat with the Star Card. They both went home the same way and the one with all the meat pulled into his driveway where his taco trailor was sitting, waiting for the meat.
Anya Khan
For those who don't know a taco trailer is a truck that sells food (tacos) on the side of the road.
Liz Theiss
"some school officials and advocates for low-income families are concerned about how the changes could affect Texans who rely on food stamps and reduced price school lunches."
".......could affect illegal aliens who rely on food stamps and reduced price school lunches."
"The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, provides food for 3.6 million Texans each year"
".......provides food for 3.6 million illegal aliens in Texas each year"
David Spratt
Obesity is epidemic,,,so we are told,,, hence the banning of 16 oz soft drinks and the Federal food police snatching sandwiches from schoolchildren. On the other hand ,,, the next page ,,, millions are starving ,, and "food deserts" abound. All depends on who you are and what your agenda is,,,, neither is true. 100 billion in the recently passed farm bill per year for the next 5 years. 80 billion of it, or 4/5ths goes to the food stamp program. States are encouraged to advertise through all types of media to promote and sign up more people. It has been widely stated the goal of welfare programs is to keep people out of poverty. The goal should be rather to feed people who really need it. There is no guarantee when you are born you will not be impoverished, relatively speaking compared to others. I would like to see pictures of people who you can count ribs on,,,,,,,,, show me some stats on how many people have died of malnutrition or starvation in this country over the last 40 years or so. Some very nice vehicles in the parking lot of the welfare office and a lot of those groceries have been toted home in $40,000 plus cars and trucks to some very nice homes with manicured lawns. The working public is being duped and raped to the limit. The day is coming when there will be a backlash and it will all come to an end ,,, even for those who really need it. Patience is wearing thin among the informed, and the ones who are paying for it. Same thing is happening when we are told millions of children in Texas are " uninsured." There is not one single person in the state that is not insured in one form or another. If you require medical treatment and do not have insurance then medicaid will take over. Witness the billboards advertising free dental for all those " uninsured children." It has become big business advertising how and where to sign up for welfare.
Bonnie McGuire
This program is necessary, no matter what you think you know about the abuses of it. Some of you may be close to the truth about them, while others seem to be letting your personal biases cloud the issue. I'd much rather see my taxes go to this program than to something like subsidies for oil companies that are reporting record profits each quarter.
David Spratt
http://obamaphone.net/ Here is another freebie,,, sign up today. Look on your internet, landline, or cell phone bill for " universal service charge." 1.2 billion of the estimated 7.7 BILLION collected went to these " Obama phones." Pretty good deal huh?
Karen Spivey-Cummings via Texas Tribune on Facebook
"According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest data, a record 44.7 million people participated in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in fiscal 2011 at a $75.3 billion cost to taxpayers. That’s up from 28.2 million and $37.6 billion in 2008. Some four million people are now on food stamps in Texas, with California (3.7 million) and Florida (3.1 million) close behind." http://www.savingtoinvest.com/2012/01/2012-food-stamp-snap-income-eligibility-levels-deductions-and-benefit-allotment-payments.html