Reducing Hunger and Poverty
2009 Legislative Agenda
#1. Maintain funding levels for General Assistance Programs
LPPO’s major budget “victory”. Only $58M out of $410M was cut. The monthly cash grant average of $339.00 stays. Many, many voice on this issue really saved the program. The Compass Center is a critical LPPO partner in this state-only funded program that serves a very vulnerable population.
#2. Support Feeding Hungry Kids Bill
Feeding Hungry Kids bill (SB5361) died early in the session – but in the end we were pleased that current funding to keep the reduced co-pay in school lunches were not eliminated (pre-K thru 3rd grade). The WSNA (Washington School Nutrition Association) and the Children’s Alliance are LPPO’s key partners in this work of reducing hunger in our state.
#3. Establish a Family Wage Outcome in our Work First Program
HB 2071 was a policy victory and signed by the governor early in the session. This puts in place small but substantive changes in our state’s welfare program regulations called Work First. Recipient households will have greater access to job training and education programs. LPPO was a key leader on this with member groups from the WAG (Welfare Advocates Group).
#4. Support Pay Day Lending Reform
HB 1709 (payday lending reforms) was another policy victory and signed by the governor with no vetoes. There may well be an effort to repeal one or two of the key reforms in this bill next session. APPL (Alliance to Prevent Predatory Lending) and SPAN (Statewide Poverty Action Network) are the leaders on this.
#5. Support Five Million Increase for EFAP (Emergency Feeding Assistance Program) in the Governor’s budget
Budget victory. There is a $1M increase for the EFAP (Emergency Feeding Assistance Program) for our state’s food banks. The AHNC (Anti-Hunger and Nutrition Coalition) was the lead on this.