Session Update:
As the second week of the special session comes to a close,
all signs are pointing to the special session wrapping up next week without a
budget. It is expected that lawmakers
will keep working on the supplemental budget though at least the middle of regular
session which begins Jan. 9.
AHNC lobbyists will continue to meet with legislators on our
legislative priorities. During special session, we have been educating
lawmakers about the frequent misunderstandings about State Food Assistance and
Farmers Market Nutrition Programs for WIC and Seniors. For SFA, there has been
confusion by lawmakers on eligibility issues for SNAP and SFA as well as the
lawsuit from Columbia Legal Services. For more info, check out Children’s
Alliance’s “Facts about State Food Assistance” on the AHNC website ( http://www.wsahnc.org/state-
For the Farmers Market Nutrition Programs, there has been
confusion by some legislators about the difference between the WIC Program and FMNP
for WIC families; additionally, the Governor’s budget document erroneously
states that federal funds would continue without state funds.
ACTION: Sign your organization on to “Protect
Farmers Market Nutrition Programs for WIC and Seniors ”by contacting Ellen
Gray, WA Sustainable Food & Farming Network (egray@wsffn.org). You can see a list of organizations/agencies
who have already signed on, by clicking here and downloading
the 2011-12 FMNP 1 pager.
FEDERAL ACTION ALERT
Urge Washington State
Congressional Reps to Sign-on to Letter Protecting SNAP, WIC and Other
Nutrition Programs
Now that the Super Committee failed to reach a deficit
reduction agreement, the House and Senate Agriculture Committees will attempt
to develop a free-standing Farm Bill, rather than wrap it into the Super
Committee, as had been proposed. Unfortunately, there were recommendations
by Agriculture Committee Chairs Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Frank Lucas
(R-OK) in the Super Committee process to cut SNAP significantly, so it is
critically important to demonstrate strong support for SNAP and other
anti-hunger programs as we head into Farm Bill reauthorization.
House leaders Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and James
McGovern (D-MA) are currently circulating a ‘Dear Colleague’ letter urging the
House Agriculture Committee to protect SNAP and other low-income nutrition
programs through reauthorization of the Farm Bill or any “must pass” bills in the closing weeks of this Congress. Click here to see the
Dear Colleague sign-on letter.
ACTION: Please contact your Congress Member today
to urge them to sign on. Congressional
Reps should contact Melinda
Cep in Congresswoman DeLauro’s office (melinda.cep@mail.house.gov) w
Register for Hunger Action Day 2012!
Make sure to mark your
calendars for February 3rd 2012, register to attend, and share this
information with your networks to help spread the word! Click here to submit your information and reserve your
space.
Please
note that each person must be registered individually. If you have any questions or need assistance,
please contact us at ahnc@wsahnc.org
Next AHNC Membership Meeting
Tuesday, January 10th,
2:30-4:30pm (location TBA)
Please share this
alert with your networks and have a great weekend!
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