Let’s Talk New Mexico 5/10 8a: About one in four New Mexicans has an EBT card in their wallet that they use to buy food. We’re continuing the conversation this week about food assistance and new work requirements that Congress is considering in the 2018 Farm Bill.
Some say the changes could be devastating to tribal communities, especially. Should we make cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other food programs when economies struggle?Does shrinking SNAP benefits save taxpayers money? How can the system be improved? Email letstalk@KUNM.org, tweet #letstalkNM or call in live during the show.
READ: New Mexico's Delegation On The Farm Bill And SNAP
We’ll also keep looking at developments in a 30-year court case about how the state does and doesn’t deliver SNAP. Part of that conversation: Are families with mixed immigration status being denied assistance illegally?
Guests:
- Patty Keane, Registered Dietitian and Associate Scientist, UNM Prevention Research Center
- Paula Marechal, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, UNMH Young Children’s Health Center
- Zach Ducheneaux, secretary of the board of directors for the Intertribal Agriculture Council
- Scott Miller, CEO and Founder of Circles USA
- Caroline Muraida, Pathways Navigator, Casa de Salud Clinic
Resource:
- Overview of Immigrant Eligibility for Public Benefits in New Mexico (National Immigration Law Center and Center on Law and Poverty)
More info:
- A Native Coalition is Fighting for a Better 2018 Farm Bill (In These Times)
- Exclusive: Trump administration may target immigrants who use food aid, other benefits (Reuters)
- Trump administration seeks rule change linking immigration status to the use of public benefits (Cronkite News, Arizona PBS)
- Trump's 'Harvest Box' Isn't Viable in SNAP Overhaul, Officials Say
- Immigrants are going hungry so Trump won't deport them (Wonkblog, Washington Post)
- Republican Farm Bill Calls On Many SNAP Recipients To Work Or Go To School(NPR)
- The country's 'most fouled-up' food aid system (Santa Fe New Mexican)
- New Mexico Defrauds The Poor Out Of Food Stamps, Whistleblowers Say (KUNM)
- Impact of proposed SNAP cuts would be huge in New Mexico (NM Political Report)
