---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Frank Tamborello <fr...@hungeractionla.org> Date: Mon, Aug 6, 2012 at 2:43 PM Subject: support nutrition for people in recovery To: food-advoca...@aumlist.com
* *** *Support AB 828 The Nutritional Assistance for Families Act* * * *August 2012: * ** No one should go hungry, but many people who committed drug related felonies in the past do. Research shows that CalFresh (food stamp) benefits are critical for successful community re-entry. But an outdated restriction imposed with no evidence for its necessity keeps many persons leaving prison from ever being able to get basic food assistance. It essentially punishes them for life even when theyve already served time.**** ** ** AB 828 authored by Assemblymember Sandre Swanson would opt California out of the lifetime federal ban on CalFresh assistance for persons with past drug felonies. 37 States and the District of Columbia have already restored nutrition benefits to this vulnerable population,**** ** ** *Key benefits of the bill include:* ** ** - *Increased CalFresh participation:* Every $5 spent on CalFresh results in $9 spent in the local economy. California has low enrollment in this program compared to other states and increased participation would boost the economy with free federal dollars.**** ** ** - *Reduced administrative time:* Eliminating screening for past drug felonies would remove red tape from the CalFresh program and increase efficiency in program administration.**** ** ** - *Reduced recidivism:* People in re-entry are in a critical time of life when access to food and jobs can make the difference between returning to the mainstream or returning to crime. It makes no sense to make it harder on people trying to get back to normal life, especially given the increased burden on local County sheriff and probation offices due to Californias realignment of many criminall justice functions.**** ** ** The Nutritional Assistance for Families Act is sponsored by The Western Center on Law and Poverty with over 35 organizations signed on in support including the California State Association of Counties, the California Welfare Directors Association, and the California Catholic Conference. ** * * * * *Status of the Bill:* * * Introduced as a 2-year bill in 2010, the bill is in the suspense file of the Senate Appropriations Committee even though it passed the Assembly last year. It will likely be voted on Thursday August 16**** ** ** *What you can do:* ** ** Write a letter of support or call for AB 828 to the Senate Appropriations Committee today. Call the members and tell them why you support this bill. See attached list of committee members or http://sapro.senate.ca.gov/ where the addresses and phone numbers of the members of the Appropriations Committee are to be found. Below is info on the committee's staff who are entry point to *all*senators. Addresses & Staff *Staff Director*: Bob Franzoia *Consultants*: Marie Liu, Brendan McCarthy, Mark McKenzie, Jolie Onodera, Maureen Ortiz and Jacqueline Wong-Hernandez *Assistants*: Jennifer Douglas and Lydia McKim *Phone*: (916) 651-4101 *Room*: 2206 State Capitol Room Sacramento, CA 95814 ** ** ** ** Frank Tamborello**** Hunger Action Los Angeles**** 961 S. Mariposa #205**** Los Angeles CA 90006**** 213-388-8228**** fr...@hungeractionla.org**** [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- LAAMN: Los Angeles Alternative Media Network --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe: <mailto:laamn-unsubscr...@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe: <mailto:laamn-subscr...@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Digest: <mailto:laamn-dig...@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Help: <mailto:laamn-ow...@egroups.com?subject=laamn> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post: <mailto:la...@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive1: <http://www.egroups.com/messages/laamn> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive2: <http://www.mail-archive.com/laamn@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: laamn-dig...@yahoogroups.com laamn-fullfeatu...@yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: laamn-unsubscr...@yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/