Legislators want say on food assistance

The House Tuesday passed 56-28 a measure by Rep. Jay Morris, R-Monroe, requiring legislative approval for a statewide waiver for Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The bill now goes to the Senate.
Currently, the executive branch makes the decision to apply for the waiver from the federal government. There are seven states, including Louisiana, have a complete waiver of SNAP. Other states have a partial waiver for certain areas of their states.
Without the waiver, able-bodied people receiving SNAP cards, previously food-stamps, are obligated to work 20 hours a week, participate in a job training program, or do community service.
Rep. Malinda White, D-Bogalusa, asked Morris rhetorically if the 16,000 oil workers unemployed in the Lafayette area because of the economic downturn should have to trek to the legislature to request a waiver. Other representatives expressed concerns about how those without transportation or with other impediments to working would survive.
Morris said he believes, in the long run, it is better for people to become less dependent on government assistance.
Louisiana’s waiver expires at the end of November. The state has applied for and received waivers since the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act passed in 1996. At the time, the state received the waiver because of high unemployment.
The state has not had a problem getting a waiver for the work requirement in past years, though legislators expressed concerns the federal government would finally decide to deny the waiver.
Rep. Pat Smith, D-Baton Rouge, asked why Morris brought the legislation now, instead of during Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal’s term.
Morris denied his legislation had anything to do with Democrat John Bel Edwards being in office and noted the governor’s office has not voiced opposition to the bill when a representative of his spoke on behalf of the bill at a committee hearing.
House Democrats asked Morris to defer his bill for information about the governor’s forthcoming executive order on the waiver, as well as other requests for information. Edwards is scheduled to address the subject next week.
Morris refused, saying the bill still has to make it through the Senate and that the governor could veto it if he doesn’t support it.