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AB 231 "The Save Money, Cut Hunger Act of 2003"

This bill is co-authored by Assembly Members Wesson, Lieber, Longville, Wolk, Dutra, Chu, Diaz, Laird, Koretz, Yee, Simitian and Hancock, and Senators Kuehl, Ortiz, Romero and Vasconcellos.

View the bill text.  

This legislation includes all of the food stamp items from CFPA's 2003 State Legislative Agenda. (Numbered 1-4 below), though it will be amended to reflect the victory on transitional benefits achieved through the state budget process.

On Tuesday, April 8th, the Assembly Human Services Committee passed AB 231 with a 4-2 vote and referred it to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

On May 28, the Assembly Appropriations Committee passed AB 231 with a 17-7 vote and sent it to the Assembly Floor.  

On June 3, the Assembly passed AB 231 with a 43-30 vote and sent the bill to the Senate, where it will first be heard by the Health and Human Services Committee.

On June 18, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee passed AB 231 with an 8-3 vote and referred it to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

On Monday, July 14, the Senate Appropriations Committee heard AB 231.  As expected, they placed the the bill in their suspense file (aka on hold) until mid-to-late August. We expect that the committee will vote on AB 231 on August 27.

AB 231 passes out of the Senate Appropriations Committee!  

· New study from UCLA: Nine out of ten low-income adults NOT receiving food stamps.

(Visit our press page for more information on this new study.)

· Sample letter to the Governor about the UCLA study and AB 231.

· One-page summary of AB 231.

 · Talking points on AB 231.

·San Jose Mercury News Editorial "California has made it tough to qualify for food stamps"

·UCLA study: over 80% of hungry people eligible for food stamps not getting them

· Estimated costs and savings associated with AB 231. 

 ·  Sacramento Bee Editorial from May 21, 2003: "Save Money, Cut Hunger" 

 ·  San Jose Mercury News Editorial from June 6, 2003: "Food Stamp Unfriendly"

(The Sac Bee and Mercury News editorials are no longer available on the web, but feel free to call 415-777-4422, ext. 107 or email autumn@cfpa.net if you'd like a copy to use with your legislators.)

·  LA Times Editorial from June 18, 2003: "Smart Food Stamp Reforms"

·  Reality Check #1 fax to Governor Davis, Assembly Member Cox and Senator Brulte.

· Reality Check #2 fax to Governor Davis, Assembly Member Cox and Senator Brulte.

A California Budget Project brief analyzes eliminating the auto resource rule.  Read more!

Signed by Governor Davis!

1

Eliminate the Finger Imaging Requirement

On Thursday, March 13th, the Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 heard testimony on whether the state should take advantage of $10 million in savings from eliminating fingerprinting.  The committee put the elimination on its action agenda for a hearing after the Governor releases his May revision of the budget.

On March 19th, the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 heard testimony on whether to eliminate the statewide fingerprint imaging system. They have postponed action on this and other issues until after the release of the Governor's May Revise. 

On May 8th, the Senate Budget Subcommittee #3  voted to take advantage of $10.7 million in savings by eliminating fingerprinting. 

On May 21st, the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 voted to eliminate the statewide fingerprint imaging system.  

As of Conference Committee in late June, both the proposed Assembly and Senate budgets included an end to finger imaging. 

On July 27th, after 27 days of a budget stalemate, the Senate passed its version of the budget.  The final Senate budget failed to de-fund SFIS -- even though this provision has been part of the Senate budget proposal since early May.  

Our understanding is that Republican leaders insisted on re-funding SFIS as part of the final budget deal -- even though the State Auditor has clearly indicated that SFIS is a waste of money. 

·  Fact Sheet

·   Report on State Audit

·   Sacramento Bee Press

·   Fresno Bee Press

·  FAQ

· Talking points on SFIS 

· Summary of findings from evaluations of finger imaging systems.

· Summary of IEVS, the existing computer matching system designed to prevent fraud.

· Explanation of the difference between error rate and fraud in the Food Stamp Program.   

· Sample letter to the Governor urging to put savings from ending finger imaging in his May Budget Revision. 

· Sample letter to Republicans (and others) responding to some of the most common concerns about ending finger imaging. 

AB 231 was amended on the Senate floor.  The elimination of finger imaging was removed from the bill (meaning finger imaging will continue).

The state won't get the $10 million in savings from the end of finger imaging.

The barrier of finger imaging will remain for hungry Californians.

2

Cut Down on Food Stamp Face-to-Face Interviews

On March 19th, the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services heard this issue. On March 27th, the Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 heard the issue. Both committees are delaying any formal action until after the May Revise.

On May 21st, the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 voted to cut down on face-to-face interviews for food stamps.  

·  Fact Sheet 

·  Report on how long it takes to complete a food stamp application in California

·  Link to Texas' Interview Procedures

·  FAQ

This remained in AB 231 as signed by the Governor.

ü3

Establish Transitional Food Stamp Benefits--DONE!

On March 19th, the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services heard this issue. On March 27th, the Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 heard the issue. Both committees are delaying any formal action until after the May Revise.

On May 21st, the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 voted to establish transitional food stamp benefits. 

On July 27th, after 27 days of a budget stalemate, the Senate passed its version of the budget.  This budget included funding and budget language to extend five months of transitional food stamp benefits for people leaving cash assistance.  

After 27 hours of their own negotiations, the Assembly signed the Senate-passed budget on July 29th and sent it to the Governor's desk.  

On August 2nd, the Governor signed the state budget.  In doing so, he maintained funding for transitional benefits.  The Legislature's decision to establish transitional food stamp benefits gives anti-hunger advocates their first major victory of this legislative session!

·Fact Sheet

·  CA Budget Project Report on Welfare Leavers

·   Recent poll of likely California voters showing their overwhelming support of extending transitional benefits.

Done!  Starting January 1, 2004, folks leaving welfare in California will be getting 5 months of transitional food stamp benefits.

4

Allow Hungry Folks to Own Reliable Cars

On March 19th, the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services heard this issue. On March 27th, the Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 listened to testimony on the issue. Both committees are delaying any formal action until after the May Revise.

On May 21st, the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 voted to change the auto resource rule.

·  Fact Sheet

·  Sac Bee Editorial:  Drive or Eat

·  CBPP report on state vehicle policies

·  USDA's North Carolina auto demonstration project

As passed by the Senate and signed by the Governor, AB 231 no longer changes the auto-resource rule for both CalWORKS and Food Stamps.

Instead, the bill exempts all cars from consideration in determining food stamp eligibility.

In the signed version of AB 231, CalWorks auto rules will remain the same.  

Invest in Healthier School Meals for our Children

CFPA will be working with our partners the California Center for Public Health Advocacy to see that the legislature fulfills the Pupil Nutrition, Health and Achievement Act of 2001. 

·  Fact Sheet

·   Sign on in support of the campaign.