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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (April 16, 2014)
News Gov. Inslee Takes Steps to Feed Hungry Kids Gov. Jay Inslee has announced that he’ll protect Washington families from new, harmful cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or food stamps). The Governor will adjust the state’s utility-assistance payments to certain eligible households from $1 to $20.01, ensuring that thou- sands of families get the food assistance they need to feed their children. “Governor Inslee’s deci- Low Income Household Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds to each Washington household qualifying for food stamps. The $1 in federal assistance allowed them to claim a utility deduction. The result: Each household received up to $90 per month in addi- tional SNAP benefits. But the Farm Bill raised the threshold amount of LIHEAP matching funding from $1 to $20—a move intended to put a stop to this assistance. The State Social and Health Services (DSHS) will disburse $20.01 in LIHEAP benefits to approximately 200,000 Washington households in order for them to retain cur- rent benefit levels. These households are composed of families whose rent includes utilities. DSHS will screen other families receiving SNAP—those who pay utilities separately from rent—for eligibility for LIHEAP. Inslee’s decision pre- serves an estimated $70 ‘Governor Inslee’s decision to protect Washington families from food stamp cuts is a smart and principled decision’ sion to protect Washington families from food stamp cuts is a smart and princi- pled decision—and it is the right thing to do by our kids. Hungry kids can’t learn. Food stamps are our num- ber-one defense against childhood hunger,” says Jon Gould, deputy director of the Children’s Alliance. In a provision known as “heat and eat,” since 2009 Washington state has grant- ed $1 per year in federal Department of Social and Health Services estimated that 1 in 3 food stamps households, unable to quali- fy for the deduction, would see their benefits drop. Anti- hunger advocates estimate that families deplete their monthly SNAP benefits in 2-3 weeks. In response, Gov. Inslee is utilizing additional federal LIHEAP funds to mitigate the benefit loss. Once per year, the Department of million in federal SNAP dollars over the 2014-2018 duration of the Farm Bill. Every $5 in SNAP spent by recipients returns $9 in local economic activity. Children’s Alliance staff met with state officials from the Department of Social and Health Services and the Governor’s office on March 6 to examine ways that the Farm Bill’s harmful cut could be prevented. We con- gratulate Inslee’s staff for Page 10 The Portland and Seattle Skanner April 16, 2014 moving quickly. “We thank Gov. Inslee for his courageous response to the needs of hungry chil- dren,” Gould said. Cuts to SNAP hurt kids. More than 434,000 of Washington’s 1.6 million children live with at least one family member receiv- ing SNAP. And 1 in 4 lives in a home where there isn’t enough food. On a national level, Latino and African American households are 60-70 percent more likely to experience hunger than the national average, according to the Children’s Alliance 2013 report, Hungry in Washington. www.theskanner.com By Adam Hyla, Children’s Alliance explore youruniverse Officials agree to tweak utility assistance payments to ensure families stay eligible for SNAP OBITUArY Judith ruth Brown J anet Ruth Brown was born to Arthur and Jennie Brown of Buffalo, NY, on Jan. 31, 1924, and peace- fully departed this life on the morning of March 19, 2014, in Portland, Ore. She received her education in the Buffa- lo Public School System and Buffalo was where she com- mitted her life to Jesus Christ at an early age. Her favorite Bible passage was the 23rd Psalm. In her early twenties Janet left Buffalo and moved to Portland. Brown joined New Hope Missionary Baptist Church and served faithfully on the usher board and in the seventies she moved her membership to Maranatha Church serving on the Usher Board for over 30 years. Janet took her post as a doorkeeper in God’s house seriously. Known as “Sister Janet” by her church family and “Auntie Janet” to some. With grace and a beautiful smile, she helped to ensure that all attendees and guests felt welcomed and comfortable. Career focused at Portland Community College in a Business Education course, led her in 1974 to a position in the Mult- nomah County Courthouse for the Oregon Judicial Department. Her duties consisted of several positions during her 30 years of employment with the Oregon Judicial Department and she earned several awards. In 2003, Brown retired from the position of Court Operations Spe- cialist. Though she had no children of her own, she was an encourager to single mothers in the church, and an advocate of children’s education and provided educational funds for children in her family. Sister Janet enjoyed finding and col- lecting bargains. One of her favorite pastimes was watching movies, especial- ly shows about courthouse drama. We will all remember Brown as the nice lady with the bun hair style. Brown’s parents and her beloved sis- ters, Betty E. Robinson and Mary Kinkle preceded her in death and welcomed her into her eternal rest. She is survived by a caring and loving family: nieces Diane Kinkle and Candace Skinner, nephews: Robert Kinkle, Trevor Kinkle, Jeffery Brown, Maurice Brown, and Robert (Novelette) Brown. Our dear Sister Janet will always be remembered by her devoted Maranatha Church family, and many friends. Services will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2014, at Maranatha Church, 4222 NE 12th, Portland. Caldwell’s, Hennessey, Goetsch & McGee Funeral Home
