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.173942.1
HOUSE MEMORIAL 1
48
TH LEGISLATURE
- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -
SECOND SPECIAL SESSION
, 2008
INTRODUCED BY
Ben Lujan
A MEMORIAL
ENCOURAGING EFFORTS TO EXPAND NEW MEXICO'S FOOD STAMP
ENROLLMENT AND RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FEDERAL FOOD
STAMP PROGRAM TO NEW MEXICO'S ECONOMY.
WHEREAS, the federal food stamp program has been renamed
the "supplemental nutrition assistance program" and is called
"SNAP"; and
WHEREAS, the name change and other important changes will
become effective October 1, 2008; and
WHEREAS, low-income New Mexicans are encouraged to apply
for food stamps not only because food stamps improve nutrition
for New Mexico families, but also because food stamps help New
Mexico's economy; and
WHEREAS, the federal government funds all food stamp
benefits; and
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WHEREAS, in June 2008 alone, New Mexico's ninety-seven
thousand nine hundred eighty-nine food stamp cases generated
over twenty-two million dollars ($22,000,000) in the local
economy; and
WHEREAS, many people eligible for food stamps are not
enrolled and benefits will increase because of federal changes;
and
WHEREAS, more New Mexicans would benefit if New Mexico
joined Arizona, Texas and thirteen other states in eliminating
or greatly increasing financial asset limits for food stamps
and, thus, encourage savings; and
WHEREAS, community partners and organizations can assist
with food stamp enrollment;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the human
services department be urged to develop and implement
additional outreach efforts to encourage all eligible low-
income New Mexicans to apply for food stamp benefits; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the human services department
be urged to increase the use of community partners and
organizations to assist with food stamp enrollment; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the human services department
be urged to join the other fifteen states that have raised or
eliminated the financial asset limit allowed for families; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the human services department
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.173942.1
be urged to increase the use of telephone eligibility
interviews and further simplify the enrollment process for food
stamps; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the human services department
be encouraged to provide information about food stamp
eligibility in English and Spanish for all low-income
comprehensive tax rebate clients and provide information on how
to apply for food stamps; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the human services department
report to the legislative health and human services committee
by its November 2009 meeting on the department's efforts and
plans to enroll more food stamp clients and the results it has
seen from such efforts; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be
transmitted to the secretary of human services and the chair of
the legislative health and human services committee.
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