Farm Bill
Who were the winners and losers in this month’s passing of a new Farm Bill? What will the next five years hold for hunger and agriculture in the U.S.?
Our executive director Ken Regal examines the “art of the possible” and where we go from here.
What the new Farm Bill means for SNAP/food stamps
State Budget
On February 20, Just Harvest staff traveled to Harrisburg for a PA Budget Summit hosted by the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center (PBPC). The organizations and advocates in attendance gained important information and insight about ongoing efforts across a number of policy issues that affect working families:
Welfare Staffing + Healthy PA
Governor Corbett’s proposed state budget contains a desperately needed funding increase to cover 300 new Department of Public Welfare caseworker positions. However, it’s still unclear whether this funding is tied to Healthy PA, Corbett’s alternative to a federally-funded Medicaid expansion to cover PA’s uninsured. Just Harvest opposes Healthy PA as it would impose unaffordable costs on and reduce health benefits for low-income working families and those with disabilities. The governor’s plan is currently under review by the Federal government; a decision is at least a month away.
Tax Reform
PBPC advises that the budget fails to include necessary reforms to make sure corporations are paying their fair share. Instead the budget calls for further cuts to a business tax on large companies that has already been cut by 90%.
Food Bank Funding
Corbett’s proposed budget contains no increase in the State Food Purchase Program as had been requested by anti-hunger advocates. This PA Department of Agriculture program provides money to food banks to help them buy food for low-income people. It’s funding is down by 24% from 2007 levels. Considering recent and pending federal cuts to food stamp funding, the rising cost of food, and the rise in poverty in this region, help for the hungry is needed now more than ever.
A Progressive Agenda for Pittsburgh
Just Harvest’s Ken Regal was among the leaders of the member organizations of Pittsburgh United who met with Mayor Bill Peduto last week to follow up on their January celebration of his inauguration. At that event he promised activists and advocates a new era for the city.
The discussion focused on Pittsburgh United’s primary issue areas: Creating and Sustaining Good Jobs, and Development for the Public Good. Coalition leaders heard strong support from Mayor Peduto on:
- enforcement of city rules on clean air, clean water, and prevailing wages in city-sponsored development;
- progress toward a Green Infrastructure solution to the combined sewer overflow problem;
- the rights of workers to organize.
Ken spoke to the mayor about the importance of food access issues in the city, where nearly one in two residents lives in a food desert. Mayor Peduto expressed his strong interest in promoting healthy corner store development in affected neighborhoods.
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