From Your Representative: SNAP program and taxpayer dollars

There were lots of comments about the food stamp, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, letter to the Health and Human Services Interim Committee sent by many legislators. I want to thank everyone that weighed in.

Last Wednesday, First lady Michelle Obama unveiled new nutritional rules for schools. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is even setting calorie limits on school-cafeteria meals. How do they know the size of all eighth graders?

No one likes mandates. Most Montanans do not want the federal government to tell us what to do anytime. But food stamps already have requirements. No alcohol, cigarettes, gourmet meats, but doughnuts are OK.

I heard from taxpayers that wanted their money to be used wisely, nutritionists that really wanted to improve the health of our children and our neediest citizens. One SNAP recipient agreed that we needed improved lists of what could and could not be purchased, but why not super sales on ice cream once in a great while?

In a letter to the editor last week, I was asked for my sources. Here is a website that has much of the information: https://sites.google.com/site/foodstampreformnow/. There are actual grocery receipts without the name of the store or the buyer, of course.

Also, I have a copy of a letter from the Secretary of Agriculture, Thomas J. Vilsack, stating that 85 percent of SNAP purchases are at grocery stores and 15 percent at convenience-type stores. Let me know, and I’ll forward it on to anyone that is interested.

All public employees, teachers, state and federal workers, as well as legislators, should improve their nutrition. Montana state employees can take part in a wellness program that will reduce, by a couple of dollars, their health care contribution.

Eating right is not easy. Personally, I’m working on my sweet tooth. But taxpayer dollars need to be used wisely. And even more importantly, we need to develop a program for Montana. One that works for us.

Thank you to everyone that contacted me. I never forget that I work for you. Call me anytime 849-6096, or e-mail jannataylor@montana.com.