Another Petri Release:

6th C.D. Dems: Rep. Petri's Thanksgiving Present to Wisconsin's Working Poor: Cut to Food Stamp Program by $700 Million

11/23/2005
CONTACT: Gordon N. Hintz
920.279.1870

OSHKOSH – Last Friday, Representative Tom Petri cast one of two deciding votes in support of the House Budget Reconciliation bill that cut $700 million from the food stamp program. Food stamps are the major U.S. anti-hunger program helping poor people buy food. Some 25.8 million Americans received food stamps in a program run by the U.S. Agriculture Department. Rep. Petri’s vote to make cuts to the food stamp program come just months after the U.S. Census update reported that the number of residents living below the federal poverty threshold in Wisconsin increased to 11% in 2003-2004, the largest increase in poverty of any state in the country. In addition, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the provisions in the Petri supported House Budget Reconciliation bill will require many low-income Medicaid beneficiaries to pay more out-of-pocket for health care and reduce their health care services, representing cuts of nearly $30 billion over ten years.

“As Wisconsin continues to struggle with job losses and rising health care, housing, and energy costs, Rep. Petri decides to turn his back on the working poor,” said Gordon Hintz, Chair of the 6th Congressional District Democrats. “Rep.Petri had a choice to make: Maintain essential programs that support a growing number of those most in need of assistance; or provide additional tax cuts exclusively to the wealthiest 1.1% of his Congressional District (US Census). Petri chose tax cuts over food stamps.”

“Rep. Petri has become a rubber stamp for an extreme agenda that is out-of-touch with residents in the 6th Congressional District. Those who are discontented with Washington should start with Rep. Petri. Petri supports the war but does not want to pay for it with real money. Petri supports continued tax cuts at the expense of essential programs for the working poor in Wisconsin and with no regard for the expanding federal deficit. This does not represent the 6th Congressional District.”

http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=49442