The other week, coming home from Jefferson City, I stopped to buy a copy of my favorite newspaper – the Unterrified Democrat.
As I got out of my car a gentleman rolled by me, popped the convenience store door open then backed his wheelchair into the place. The chair had an American Made sticker yet showed extensive modification, including parts cut-off. I asked if those were off-road bicycle tires? Yes, he said and quick release hubs.
That made sense a couple of minutes later when he hoisted himself (with one hand) into the seat of a blue full-sized, four-door and four wheel drive pick-up. He then popped off one, then the other bike wheel, tossing them into the back seat – followed by the carcass of the chair. And, he drove off.
Based on his age and otherwise great health, I expect that he lost use of his legs in service to our nation. On that spring afternoon he didn’t ask for help or pity. He just went about his life, gassing up his truck and buying a couple of bottles of designer water.
This week I went back to Jefferson City. Along with a score of friends, I appeared at a press conference and testified against a food stamp bill. This being Missouri, the legislature maintains that tens of thousands of citizens a year can be forced into low-paying jobs without costing the state a dime, nor requiring additional state workers. Asked a question by a senator, I estimated that to have a chance of success the program would need 200 additional state workers and probably $25 million a year in state funds.
I noted that Wisconsin did pretty much what Missouri proposed and found that it cost them millions of dollars a year. And, federal rules require that food stamp work programs must provide subsidized child care, transportation assistance and other support. Washington pays for much of that but Missouri’s share would be considerable.
This “must work” approach is pushed by right wing think tanks, the Christian women of Concerned Women of America and 107 Republican members of the Missouri House of Representatives [ https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1486&year=2018&code=R ]. Alas, I suspect that while the public watches the Governor SEAL soap opera that House Bill 1486 and other nasty things will become law and thence get signed by whomever is governor that day.
At that Senate hearing Rep. Hannah Kelly (R – Mountain Grove, between Mansfield and Cabool) stated that people want to be lazy and poor, that without threat and sanction folks will live off of ‘generous’ government benefits forever.
My experience is different. After decades of working with struggling families, well, I’ve found that no one enjoys being poor and hungry. Many on food stamps already do work – they just remain stuck in poverty due to low wage jobs being the only work they can get.
Like most of us, including the guy in the big blue pick-up, low-income folks are just trying to get by.
Submitted by Glenn Koenen, WCD Member
It is highly unlikely that even a token number of families will gain self-sufficiency due to a work requirement.
To escape SNAP eligibility, a family needs an income above 130% of the federal poverty level.
Number in Family SNAP Max Income Hourly Wage
(40 hr. work week)
2 $21,398 $10.29
3 $27,014 $12.99
4 $32,630 $15.69
5 $38,246 $18.39
(or, 2 adults working 30 hrs. each @ $12.26)
Glenn Koenen testimony to Senate Seniors, Family & Children Committee, based on 2018 federal poverty level data