Update from AHNC

Olympia update: Next Tuesday is the last day of this special session and it’s not clear that there will be a budget deal by then. As negotiations continue, the House has put forth a new striker amendment that retains funding at current levels for all of the Coalition’s priority programs (including retaining State Food Assistance benefits at 50%). Unfortunately the striker  does not include proviso language proposed by hunger advocates which would have allowed for an increase in SFA benefits in the future, should the budget allow.

Last week we told you some lawmakers from the House and Senate are looking to enact an accounting change to save about $238 million.  The striker amendment proposed by the House includes this accounting option.  The striker would also leave less money in the Washington’s reserve fund than has previously been proposed.

We will discuss any updates on the proposed striker and the overall budget negotiations at our General Meeting, next Tuesday, April 10^th from 2:30-4:30pm at Northwest Harvest’s Kent Distribution Center. A meeting agenda is attached.

The Washington State PTA Association and the Children’s Alliance co-authored a great editorial published last Friday in the Tacoma News Tribune on preserving State Food Assistance. Thanks to advocates who have helped raise the media coverage on this issue all session.

Federal update: Last week we told you about a nation-wide advocacy effort to support SNAP (food stamps) in the Farm Bill reauthorization.  The Farm Bill funds and governs SNAP and is reauthorized every 5 years; in the past, it’s been an opportunity to make the program more effective, more efficient and meet more people’s needs. Recent budget proposals would make significant and negative changes to the food stamp program. A sign-on letter to preserve the integrity and effectiveness of the program is directed to Washington State’s critical Congressional delegation and will be delivered to Congress members soon.

Action: Almost 60 organizations in Washington have signed on to this letter already - please sign-on your organization today.

 Upcoming Events

AHNC Membership Meeting: Tuesday April 10^th (2:30-4:30pm) at NW Harvest Kent Warehouse 22220 W. Valley Hwy. Kent, WA 98032

WithinReach Annual Luncheon:  April 25^th

Northwest Harvest Annual Meeting:  June 1^st

Upcoming AHNC General Meetings

Upcoming General Meeting	Member Host
June 12	TBD
August 14	TBD
October 9	TBD