PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS Editorial: GOV CORBETT’S plan to reinstitute an assets limit for qualifying for food stamps – $2,000 for those under 60 and $3,250 for those who are older – is sheer economic idiocy that will hurt not only those who are struggling to put food on the table, but the rest of the commonwealth…
Why is the state doing this? There are no data that fraud is rampant. In fact, Pennsylvania has one of the lowest instances of fraud, according to the federal government. And here’s the real mystery: SNAP is a federal program; it is not even financed by the state. And that means that the state doesn’t benefit from the savings; in fact, the cuts will hurt Pennsylvania’s economy. Five out of the commonwealth’s top-10 businesses sell food, meaning a reduction in profits and a loss of jobs. And caseworkers will have to reopen the files of food- stamp recipients to determine their assets, adding to costs.
Fewer private jobs, higher government expenses, more hungry Pennsylvanians: It’s a trifecta of stupidity. Tell the governor to re-think this idea but fast. (more)
