Farm bill provision threatens FSSA deal
Source: Associated Press (IN), Friday, Jul 20, 2007
A provision in the federal farm bill moving through Congress would force Indiana to cancel its $1.16 billion deal to privatize parts of its welfare system and force rollbacks of some of the child protection gains the state has made, top aides to Gov. Mitch Daniels said Thursday.
……. The provision also would affect food stamp operations that have been privatized to varying degrees in 21 other states, plus five other states where such contracts are being considered, according to the National Governors Association, which is lobbying to defeat the provision. However, a coalition of unions, anti-hunger groups and social services agencies have aligned themselves behind the language, saying in a letter to members of Congress that it's aimed at guarding the integrity of the food stamp program “and ensure and fair and equal access and treatment for all applicants.”
Related article from the Indianapolis Star: State welfare revamp at risk