Go fish ..
Posted on 05/20/2015 4:17:11 PM PDT by upchuck
Wisconsin’s State Assembly approved legislation last week that puts in place new rules about what recipients of food stamps may purchase with the benefits.
Assembly Bill 177 would limit the types of food that could be purchased with Wisconsin’s food stamp program, FoodShare.
In addition to banning the purchase of foods such as lobster with the publicly-funded program, the legislation would also require that just over two-thirds of the benefits be used to purchase healthy foods:
“Under this bill, DHS [Department of Health Services] must require that not less than 67 percent of the SNAP benefits used by a recipient in a month be used to purchase any of the following foods: foods that are on the list of foods authorized for the federal special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC foods); beef; pork; chicken; fish; fresh produce; and fresh, frozen, and canned white potatoes. In addition, DHS must prohibit using SNAP benefits for the purchase of crab, lobster, shrimp, or any other shellfish.”
The bill was passed in a 60-35 vote.
Supporters say the measure is fiscally responsible and encourages healthy eating, while opponents say that limiting the types of food that can be purchased places additional hardship on those receiving aid.
“A lot of people, an awful lot of people who are on FoodShare are also on BadgerCare, so there is a direct financial benefit not just to the individual, which of course is obvious to have better health, but also to state taxpayers and society as a whole,” Rep. Robin Vos, R-Rochester, told the Associated Press.
“It’s a restriction that’s designed just to make the lives of those that are already struggling that much harder,” Rep. Lisa Subeck, D-Madison, told The Capital Times. “And instead, we should be focusing not on the foods people buy but on putting people to work by creating jobs that get people off of FoodShare.”
Rachel Sheffield, a policy analyst for The Heritage Foundation’s DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society, said that the “food stamps program is in serious need of reform.”
“Most importantly food stamps should include a work requirement that requires able-bodied adults to work, prepare for work or look for work in exchange for receiving assistance,” said Sheffield.
The bill will go on to the state Senate for approval. The AP reports that the Wisconsin Senate declined to take up a similar bill last year.
Wait till they see what managing this will look like.
Sounds like another welfare program to me!
“It’s a restriction that’s designed just to make the lives of those that are already struggling that much harder,” Rep. Lisa Subeck, D-Madison, told The Capital Times. “And instead, we should be focusing not on the foods people buy but on putting people to work by creating jobs that get people off of FoodShare.”
I am sick and tired of hearing this leftist clap trap. You could almost predict what the left was gonna be saying without reading the article.
WI news!
This is just wiffling. She actually loves the new bureaucracy it will create.
Retaliation against Mickey’s?
I think we should just send them the food.
Maybe Michelle can design the diet.
What an incentive to go back to work!
*
I wonder how much Coke, Pepsi, Nabisco etc. paid to keep their products eligible?
——Wait till they see what managing this will look like.——
Actually it should be relatively easy...
Stores already have their scanning system set up to exempt certain items...
The receipt will split the items into two separate itemized totals...
Food stamps should be run like WIC..
it’s that simple.
There should be food pantries where you get your rations for the week. The essentials.
That’s more than the Irish, Italians, Jews, Polish etc received when they came.
And a LOT more than the original settlers!!!!!
How about a government that gets less involved, creates an environment where business can thrive, creating demand for their products/services, thereby creating the jobs people would have to be self-sufficient.....?
WIC limits what you can by..
The store handles it, if it’s not approved the register make them pay for it. If they can’t pay for it, back on the shelf it goes.
I would restrict purchases to beans, rice, flour, veggies, milk and little else.
You don’t get it... there has to be relative math performed now to ensure the state-mandated proportions are right. It is going to so not fly with “real paying customers.” It cannot take care of the situation where different categories of comestibles are purchased at different vendors... naw you have too many “rich foods” here compared to your “meager foods” you cannot check out!
Talk about a boon... to BUREAUCRACY.
This should come with mandatory drug testing.
Excellent idea. My only quibble is that I would make it closer to 85%. Those worrying about added bureaucracy are probably overstating the risk. Most food stamp benefits are now electronic and the card can’t be used to purchase restricted items.
And also WIC is shown on shelves. Now the goods must be purchased in proportion.
This is a bureaucrat’s makework job dream.
Since when did anyone ever overstate the risk of a new bureaucracy in a welfare administration?
Go fish ..
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.