February 24, 2010
DRAFT BUDGETS RELEASED BY THE HOUSE AND SENATE
On February 23, the House and Senate released their versions of the State Budget. Thanks to phone calls and emails from concerned individuals like you, both the House and Senate preserved all funding for local food banks and tribal food bank voucher programs. While the House version of the budget protected almost all of the hunger relief and safety net funding, the Senate budget made some troubling cuts to vital programs.
What did the Senate Cut in their budget?
The Senate made many cuts in their draft budget that either directly or indirectly effect the health and nutrition of Washington’s most vulnerable families:
- Elimination of the Washington Grown Fruits and Veggies program: This program, which brings healthy, local produce snacks to students in low-income schools, was completely eliminated in the Senate budget. The funding for this program made up only a tiny fraction of the budget, but made a huge positive impact on the health of kids across the state.
- Cuts to Senior Meals: The Senior Citizens Services Act funds, which help local Area Agencies on Aging provide meal assistance for seniors, were cut by $1 million. Seniors are often among the most nutritionally vulnerable in the community and many struggle with limited income or mobility. These cuts would jeopardize senior citizens’ access to nutritious meals.
- Reduced benefits through TANF and GAU: TANF and GAU, two programs that help families and disabled adults meet basics needs, were both reduced under the Senate version of the budget. Cuts to these vital programs will result in even longer lines at food banks and meal programs that are already struggling to keep up with the need during this economic downturn.
What can you do?
Call the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000 and tell your Senator to “Please restore funding for the Washington Grown Fruits and Veggies program and the Senior Citizens Services Act. These programs are essential to ensuring the health of the most vulnerable in our communities, our children and senior citizens.”
If we speak up now, we can prevent the legislature from passing this harmful budget.
Call NOW. Don’t let your voice go unheard!
You can view the full 2010 Food Lifeline Legislative Agenda, here.
Questions? Want to be more involved in advocacy?
Contact Maria Roselle via email or by calling (206) 545-6600, x3625