As governor, you have the power to reverse the disastrous food stamp cuts in Massachusetts that Congress imposed—by following the lead that New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania have taken.
As your constituent, I will remember whether or not you did the right thing.
Why is this important?
When Congress slashed food stamps in February, 850,000 low-income families in 16 states plus D.C. stood to lose $90 of food assistance per month. But in a twist befitting the movies, there is still a way we can wipe out those cuts entirely.
It's tricky to explain, but the bottom line is this: if a state were to increase its minimum monthly heating assistance benefit to $20 without kicking anyone out of the program, then no one in that state would face food stamp cuts.
Three of the 16 states—New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania—have already done this. Executive orders by Govs. Andrew Cuomo, Dan Malloy and Tom Corbett increased the minimum heating assistance in their states to $20 a month, thereby preventing any food stamp cuts from taking place.
Every state—including Massachusetts—facing cuts can do this. Sign the petition demanding that Gov. Deval Patrick increase heating assistance to low-income families as a means of restoring their food stamp benefits.
