Signed!  AB 433: A new future for Food Stamps!

Thanks to your support and the Governor’s pen, the Food Stamp Program has a new future in store – no more asset test and a new name!  AB 433 requires the California Department of Social Services to develop and propose a new name for the Food Stamp Program, separate from the federally recommended name: the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).  CDSS is required to convene stakeholders to develop and choose a name by July 2009.  Rather than “SNAP,” Californians should have a nutrition program name that reflects the agricultural bounty of our state or highlights how nutrition benefits can lead to a healthier California.  We look forward to working with CDSS and involving you in the process!

In addition to a name change, California Food Stamps will no longer have an asset limit for eligibility, which will make it possible for more needy families to receive benefits.  AB 433 removes the asset test completely for anyone applying for benefits by January 1, 2010.  Previously, if a family had an income low enough to qualify but savings of more than $2,000, they would be denied benefits.  In a state with high costs of living like California, families need stored assets of more than $2,000 in the case of job loss or emergencies.  Wise financial decisions, like asset accumulation, are key to poverty reduction and should not be discouraged.  With the success of AB 433, it is estimated that 32,000 additional households in California will be able to receive benefits to assist them to put more food on the table. 

It is a change that we have been working on for many years and thanks to all who supported the effort!  Special thanks to Assembly Member Jim Beall and his staff, Frances Chacon; Cathy Senderling with the County Welfare Director's Association; and Director John Wagner and his staff at the Department of Social Services.

Signed!  AB 2300: Medi-Cal means more meals for California kids!

As the sun set on the last day for the Governor to sign bills, AB 2300 emerged victorious!  With the passage of the bill, the California Department of Education will begin to design and implement a computer match to use Medi-Cal participation for enrolling more eligible children for free and reduced price meals.  The bill authorizes the use of Medi-Cal data for direct certification, the process of automatic enrollment for meal benefits, and direct verification, the process of checking applications for accuracy.  

California schools already use the Food Stamp Program and CalWORKs data to directly certify children and the addition of Medi-Cal will greatly increase their ability to enroll eligible children.  We believe that there is the federal authority to go forward with direct certification with Medi-Cal; however, USDA may not agree.  CFPA will now work toward clarifying federal statute and may need your help.  Stay tuned for updates from DC. 

In the meantime, direct verification with Medi-Cal has federal authority and can proceed full steam ahead!  CFPA is excited to work with the California Department of Education in their continued efforts to ensure that eligible children are receiving free and reduced price meals. 

Thanks to all who supported AB 2300!  Special thanks to Nutrition Services Director Phyllis Bramson-Paul and the Medi-Cal team at the State Department of Health Care Services.  And, of course, thanks to Assembly Member John Laird and his staff, Harry Ermoian.

Signed!  AB 2726: Funding for the Healthy Purchase Pilot

The bill to move the Healthy Purchase Pilot forward was signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger on Saturday, September 27th.  The Healthy Purchase Pilot is an innovative effort designed to increase the access and affordability of fresh produce for food stamp recipients.  At the core of this effort is the use of the food stamp EBT card to deliver a financial incentive to support produce purchases. 

With AB 2726, the pilot will now have the time and authority to piece together the funding needed to get the pilot going.

Thanks to all who helped in this effort.  Special thanks go to Liz Mooney and Assembly Member Mark Leno for carrying this issue through to a successful conclusion and to the Western Growers Association for their critical support.  Stay tuned for an up-to-the minute update on the progress of the pilot.

In this issue:  The Governor signed (and vetoed) nutrition related bills.  Thanks to everyone who called, wrote, and supported these bills.  Here are the highlights:

Signed!  AB 433: A new future for Food Stamps!

Signed!  AB 2300: Medi-Cal means more meals for California kids!

Signed!  AB 2726: Funding for the Healthy Purchase Pilot

Vetoed!  AB 2704: Removing Barriers to Water in Schools

Vetoed!  AB 2844: Cutting Red Tape in Food Stamps

Vetoed!  AB 1996: Restoring Food Stamps Benefits to Drug Felons

Signed!  SB 1420: Menu Labeling

Vetoed!  AB 2704: Removing Barriers to Water in Schools

Our bill to remove barriers to serving free tap water in schools was vetoed by the Governor.  In his veto message, the Governor declared the bill to be unnecessary.  However, he did indicate his desire to work with the Legislature on future efforts to promote the availability and consumption of water in schools.  We plan on holding the Governor to his words and working with his office and the Legislature to ensure that kids have easy and free access to tap water in schools.

Thanks to all those who helped us out on this bill!  Special thanks to Assembly Member Mark Leno and his staff, Liz Mooney as well as the researchers from RAND and UCLA who helped on testimony!

Vetoed!  AB 2844: Cutting Red Tape in Food Stamps

As expected, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed AB 2844, the bill to have California join the 48 other states using a simplified reporting system for food stamps.  AB 2844 would have moved CalWORKS to 6-month reporting as well.  The Governor’s veto message can found here.  The good news (if there is any to be found here) is that the Governor vetoed the bill for fiscal reasons not (at least explicitly) on policy grounds.  At issue is the initial cost of switching to simplified reporting.  While it will eventually save more than $40 million on an annual basis, there are some significant upfront costs with making the move to six-month reporting.  

We will certainly be back with this issue because not only does it make sense for low-income people, it also makes great fiscal sense for the state once we get over that initial investment hurdle.

Thanks to all involved in this effort, especially: Assembly Member John Laird and his staff, Andrea Margolis; Cathy Senderling and the County Welfare Director’s Association; Mike Herald and the Western Center on Law and Poverty; and Linda Wanner and the California Catholic Conference.

Vetoed!  AB 1996: Restoring Food Stamps Benefits to Drug Felons

The Governor vetoed Assembly Member Swanson's bill to restore food stamp benefits to those having done their time for selling drugs.  Click here to read the Governor's veto message.  Thanks to those who supported this bill.  Hopefully, future efforts will prove more successful!

Signed!  SB 1420: Menu Labeling

California became the first state in the nation to require chain restaurants to post nutrition information on menu boards.  Although similar legislation was vetoed last year, bill author Senator Padilla and advocates (led by Harold Goldstein and the California Center for Public Health Advocacy) were able to work with the restaurant industry and the Governor's office to craft legislation amenable to all parties.  The Governor signed the legislation in an outside ceremony in front of a chain restaurant likely to be effected by the bill.  Click here to view the signing ceremony and read more information.

Congrats to all those involved in the efforts to pass this bill and thank you to all those who helped with calls and support! 

Copyright © CFPA   

Contact:  kumar@cfpa.net

If you wish to cancel your subscription to this action alert click here.  If you were forwarded this alert and you wish to subscribe, please click here.