Farm Bill
December 4, 2018
When conservative politicians push for work requirements as a condition of receiving food benefits, they often argue that food banks can step in to fill any gaps created if people lose government assistance. But as the holiday season kicks into high gear - traditionally a high point for giving - the shelves at many Louisiana food banks are bare, partly because food assistance has been going to areas that were hit by recent disasters. Gov. John Bel Edwards and First Lady Donna Edwards are calling for donations.
Number of the Day
$1.44 trillion - The amount of outstanding student loan debt in America, an increase of $37 billion in the third quarter of 2018. (Source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York via Bloomberg)September 24, 2018
President Donald Trump is proposing to make life much harder for legal immigrants to the United States. A new federal rule - long anticipated but filed late Saturday night - would make it more difficult for people to stay in the country if they use “non-cash” forms of public assistance such as housing vouchers, food benefits or Medicare drug benefits.
Number of the Day
24,197 - Number of people on a waiting list for affordable housing vouchers in New Orleans in 2017-18. Overall, the New Orleans area saw a decrease in availability of affordable housing over the past year (Source: HousingNola, 2018 Report Card)September 7, 2018
As the farm bill conference committee moved behind closed doors on Thursday, Rep. Ralph Abraham continued his support for punitive work requirements for SNAP recipients.
Number of the Day
$37 - The amount of corporate income tax Louisiana collected per capita in fiscal year 2016, the lowest of any state with a corporate income tax. (Source: The Tax Foundation)September 6, 2018
The farm bill conference committee met on Wednesday with the goal of combining two competing versions of the comprehensive legislation from the House and Senate.