Montanans should weigh in on food stamps
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Editor,
There were lots of comments about the food stamp, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, letter to the Health and Human Services Interim Committee sent by many legislators. I want to thank everyone that weighed in.
Recently, First Lady Michelle Obama unveiled new nutritional rules for schools. The US Department of Agriculture is even setting calorie limits on school-cafeteria meals. But how do they know the size of all our eighth-graders?
No one likes mandates. Most Montanans do not want the federal government to tell us what to do any time. But food stamps already have requirements. No alcohol, cigarettes, gourmet meats, etc., but doughnuts are okay.
I heard from taxpayers that wanted their money to be used wisely. Nutritionists and doctors that really wanted to improve the health of our children and our neediest citizens. One SNAP recipient agreed that we needed improved lists of what could and could not be purchased, but why not allow sales on ice cream once in a great while?
I have been asked for my sources. Here is a website that has much of the information: www.sites.google.com/site/foodstampreformnow. There are actual grocery receipts, without the name of the store or the buyer, of course.
Eating right is not easy. Parents should decide what their children eat, but taxpayer dollars should not be wasted. And even more importantly, we need to develop a program for Montana — one that works for us.
And the copy of the letter from legislators in the paper last month was to allow Montana to administer the program for Montana. It was not a plan of legislation.
Thank you to everyone that contacted me. Never forget that I work for you.
Janna Taylor
Representative
House District 11
Dayton
