Sirotablog

David Sirota is a political journalist and nationally syndicated newspaper columnist at Creators Syndicate. David writes about political corruption, globalization and working-class economic issues often ignored by both of America's political parties.

  • July 11, 2008 7:19 AM

    Paterson makes great move on food stamps in NY

    In the midst of soaring food prices, New York Gov. David Paterson today announced a plan that will increase federal food stamp aid to at least 114,000 low-income households. The new program will leverage rules that increase food stamps for any poor person who is also enrolled in a state-funded energy assistance program.

    The upshot: if someone qualifies for even $1 in energy assistance, their food stamp allocation can be increased by as much as 50%. Paterson's proposal essentially amounts to a plan to enroll more folks in Section 8 housing into the energy assistance program. Absent much-needed food stamp aid in the recent economic "stimulus" package, this plan should provide at least a partial solution for mitigating the swipe at folk's pocket books (and stomachs) that the agribiz giants are taking as they bring in record profits in these times of need.

    Hopefully other states will follow New York's lead.

    Posted by Austin Guest
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