NY: Don't Restrict SNAP Benefits!
Two conservative Senators introduced a New York bill that would remove certain items from SNAP benefits, including bottled water and vegetable seeds.
A memo accompanying the bill states, "The purpose of SNAP is to promote good nutrition, but current rules allow the purchase of junk food and luxury items like high-end steaks and lobster." But a review of the "luxuries" that are exempt from sales tax rules, and which could potentially be targeted, include bottled water and seltzer, ice, and vegetable seeds and seedlings.
The bill plays upon stereotypes that lower-income families don't eat healthy. Actually, SNAP families consume less shellfish, less candy and just as much protein as richer shoppers. It's not clear what constitutes a luxury. Cutting off bottled water could force low income families to drink from polluted public water sources. And cutting off vegetable seeds would raise costs for families who might want to grow their own produce and herbs and become more self sufficient.
This new bill robs lower income families of their dignity and could potentially harm their health and raise their costs. Please sign the petition to urge New York legislators to vote NO on the bill to restrict SNAP benefits!
I am concerned that two Senators introduced a bill that would remove certain items from SNAP benefits, including bottled water and vegetable seeds.
A memo accompanying the bill states, "The purpose of SNAP is to promote good nutrition, but current rules allow the purchase of junk food and luxury items like high-end steaks and lobster." But a review of the "luxuries" that are exempt from sales tax rules, and which could potentially be targeted, include bottled water and seltzer, ice, and vegetable seeds and seedlings.
The bill plays upon stereotypes that lower-income families don't eat healthy. Actually, SNAP families consume less shellfish, less candy and just as much protein as richer shoppers. It's not clear what constitutes a luxury. Cutting off bottled water could force low income families to drink from polluted public water sources. And cutting off vegetable seeds would raise costs for families who might want to grow their own produce and herbs and become more self sufficient.
This new bill robs lower income families of their dignity and could potentially harm their health and raise their costs. I respectfully urge you to vote NO on the bill to restrict SNAP benefits! Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this petition.
