What's the matter with Iowa?

Submitted by gjohnsit on Sat, 05/20/2023 - 7:33pm

Iowa recently tried to pass a child labor bill that would violate federal law.
Remember that this is happening at the exact same time that the right-wing is having a panic attack about children.
Meanwhile, Republican politicians are busy spending $18 million simply to punish poor people.

They include asset tests and new eligibility guidelines. By the state’s own estimate, Iowa will need to spend nearly $18 million in administrative costs during the first three years — to take in less federal money.

One of the effected programs is SNAP.

"SNAP recipients could no longer purchase meat, other than certain varieties of canned tuna and salmon," the Iowa Hunger Coalition said in a statement criticizing the bill. The group said people on food stamps spend about $1 of every $5 on meat, poultry and seafood, making it the top food category purchased by SNAP recipients.

Other foods that would no longer qualify for food-stamp purchases include: butter, flour, white rice, white bread, sliced cheese, cooking oil, herbs, spices, and coffee and tea, among other items, the Iowa Hunger Coalition said.

I know that sounds horrible, but the good news is that the corporate tax rate in Iowa got cut and will probably be cut again.
Of course it isn't just food stamps. It's more like a broad-based attack on the poor.

Senate File 494, passed by a vote of 58-41, ensures that hundreds to thousands of the poor will be denied access to vital programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps), Medicaid, the Family Investment Program (FIP) and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
...
Households with over $15,000 in liquid assets or cash on hand are not eligible for SNAP. This means households with savings, cash or other easily accessible funds above this threshold would be ineligible to receive SNAP benefits. Thus, workers will be forced to decide to save for their child’s education or food. In fact, a 2016 report by the Urban Institute discovered that states implementing asset tests deterred recipients from maintaining bank accounts or saving for emergencies.

They myth of the "undeserving poor".

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Submitted by snoopydawg on Sat, 05/20/2023 - 7:58pm
snoopydawg's picture

I have been wondering how you were and hoping that the surgery went well.

Good lord this is just vindictive and mean spirited and especially because the law makers probably get all kinds of perks such as free meals and cars or drivers. Cutting out healthy foods will see obesity rates rise and that will cost more for health issues.

SNAP recipients could no longer purchase meat, other than certain varieties of canned tuna and salmon," the Iowa Hunger Coalition said in a statement criticizing the bill. The group said people on food stamps spend about $1 of every $5 on meat, poultry and seafood, making it the top food category purchased by SNAP recipients.
Other foods that would no longer qualify for food-stamp purchases include: butter, flour, white rice, white bread, sliced cheese, cooking oil, herbs, spices, and coffee and tea, among other items, the Iowa Hunger Coalition said.

As for how much money people can have and stay on social programs is a way to keep people in poverty. Period. In Utah one cannot have more than $1,300 for any month that they are on Medicaid or they don’t qualify for it that month. And if they go back and look at your bank records and see that you had $1,301 one month and you used your Medicaid then you are on the hook for paying it back. Or if you’re on SSI And someone gives you food or clothes then they will deduct the amount from your payment. One thing that these things accomplish is to keep people poor and to punish them if they get any breathing room. Your car is broke and you need to save up to get it fixed? Tuff luck cuz you know what happens if you go over the limit.

What’s even sadder is how many people agree with the policies. I see comments like this all the time here. I saw one lady say that she worked at a catholic food bank and couldn’t believe how many people using it were driving nice cars. Guess she never thought that people bought their cars when they had good paying jobs and then suddenly got laid off. With 500,000 people living on the streets and thousands more getting laid off every day…. I hate this timeline!

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Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

Submitted by humphrey on Sat, 05/20/2023 - 8:18pm

Hopefully your health is heading in the right direction.

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Submitted by gjohnsit on Sat, 05/20/2023 - 8:32pm

@humphrey
But it's a long road.

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Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 05/20/2023 - 8:26pm

as well as sheep. No reason for Dems pushing the Green Agenda to quarrel with this.
Dem NYC mayor would love this.
Hope your health is improved, GJ.

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

Submitted by Linda Wood on Mon, 05/22/2023 - 1:48pm

.. Households with over $15,000 in liquid assets or cash on hand are not eligible for SNAP...

Would that include a pickup truck? Or 2 old used cars? Do you have to be homeless, jobless, lying on the street?

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