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Reinstate gun show waiting period exemption, Barre lawmaker asks
By Guy Page
Anora Horton, Williston, executive director of Hunger Free Vermont, Thursday afternoon February 6 asked the Vermont House Human Services Committee to allow EBT cards given to low income Vermonters to be used to buy restaurant meals.
In particular, she wants ‘legislation to instruct the state of Vermont to opt into the SNAP restaurant meals program and to appropriate seventy five thousand dollars to cover restaurant start up costs to enter the program and a hundred thousand dollars for a staff position to help restaurants navigate their path into this program within the department for children and families,” Horton said.
“This would allow people who are elderly, people who are disabled, people who are homeless to use their SNAP or Three Squares Vermont benefits at participating restaurants. And that would make it a lot easier for people who can’t stop for, cook, store, prepare meals, and a way to actually use Three Squares Vermont and and benefit from that program.’
People living in Vermont’s motels often lack the storage and cooking facilities to adequately prepare good meals, the committee was told.
The SNAP program provides an EBT debit card with monthly food purchasing benefits for households with gross income equal to or less than 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.
You can read the transcript and watch the proceedings, thanks to GoldenDomeVT.com.
Reinstate 72-hour waiting period exemption on firearms sold at gun shows – H.150, sponsored by Rep. Michael Boutin (R-Barre City) and many other Republicans, would reinstate the 72-hour waiver on gun show sales.
The bill defines ‘gun show’ as a function sponsored by a national, state, or local organization, devoted to the collection, competitive use, or other sporting use of firearms; or an organization or association that sponsors functions devoted to the collection, competitive use, or other sporting use of firearms in the community.
Just such an event will take place this weekend in Boutin’s city. The Central Vermont Gun Show will be held at the Barre Auditorium Saturday 9-5 and Sunday 9-2.
Bennington House race decision ignores voters, VT GOP says – VTGOP Chairman Paul Dame made the following statement after The Vermont House voted 91-42 to finalize Democrat Jonathan Cooper as winner of the contested Bennington-1 race.
”It was greatly disappointing to see voters be told that they have to vote for Democrats to save Democracy – and then for the Democratic majority to be the ones to knowingly ignore voters. Democrats failed to act to correct the injustice delivered to voters in Pownal. How are we supposed to convince voters that every vote matters when House Democrats justified their inaction by saying if a situation is too complicated or too inconvenient then ignoring voters is justified.”
Pharmacists want insurance coverage for patient care services – Vermont pharmacists were in the State House today, seeking more insurance coverage of their services, including point-of-care testing and treatment of minor health conditions, flu immunization and writing prescriptions for opioid disorder and HIV prevention medication.
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Categories: State House Spotlight
What, I thought food stamps were for groceries to help you to survive, not for a night on the town !!
Obviously, those proposing this haven’t eaten in a restaurant lately. Will a couple alcoholic drinks qualify on the bill? Super bowl Sunday, I went to a local restaurant for take out just for me. An order of chicken wings (6) $12.00, a pint of fried mushrooms $7.00 that’s $19.00 plus 9% state tax and 1% local tax = $1.90 for $20.90 plus I added $2.00 tip it’s take out. My total bill $$22.90 for just one person. While I was waiting I had 2 drinks at $6.75 each for $13.50 plus another $2.00 tip. My hour at the restaurant cost me $38.40. I rarely do this because it’s too expensive and that was two appetizers and two drinks which would be about the same cost for one meal at most restaurants now. I pay my own way and I shouldn’t have to pay for someone else on welfare when I can barely do it for myself. More crazy from the nanny state progressives. No
Once again the Dems are trying to prostitute the law to feel good and get votes.
This just outrageous these libs don’t get it. The we the people are paying the tab not the legislators or the government.
This is a self perpetuating action to write the argument for additional food stamp funds as eating out is not a cost effective use of food stamps. The resolution when people run out of money will be to give them more money.
In perpetuating the motel room program that has been around since the Shumlin administration, the Vermont legislature has already demonstrated a failure to understand the difference between subsistence and luxury. Many Vermont taxpayers already cannot afford even a 2 night recreational stay in a motel, while an honor-system claim of not having anywhere else to go can get some people a months-long stay. It’s a clever argument to say that some people may find it easier to eat prepared meals in a restaurant, but doesn’t that apply to everyone? If anything, the federal SNAP program and hence Vermont’s 3Squares should be restricted down to include only staple foods, and eliminate all convenience items, garbage food and sugary drinks. That makes the dollars go farther AND promotes healthier eating. Hey, let’s ask Elon what he thinks about this proposal.
I agree with you to an extent, however LETS NOT ASK ELON!
Johnathan G Taylor, Why wouldn’t we ask Elon? Are you one who is against finding all the waste and fraud that our tax dollars have been paying for? I find the anti-Elon crew to be a mystery. What person with a brain wouldn’t want to expose this?
SNAP. This is a bailout for the restaurants. Money needs to flow for these business to survive. 72 hour wait gun shows. Looks like the republicans are now members of the cave monkey club. Do not extend the exemption and put an end to this bull… and stop trying to make yourself look good. The gun rights for Vermonters are not to be controlled by political hacks.
I agree. The new economy paid for by taxpayers.
Headline fixed:
Legislature compelling taxpayers to let ‘food stamp’ cardholders buy restaurant meals
I think not being able to purchase hot ready to eat food like a rotisserie chicken or a sandwich from a grocery store is unfortunate but getting whole meals from a restaurant is ridiculous!
Right on. Vermont tax laws already make a distinction and you pay an exorbitant rooms and meals tax on prepared food while a bag of carrots or potatoes is NOT taxed. Prepared food is a LUXURY. As a taxpayer who rarely spends my own money in a restaurant as a matter of efficiency, I dont want someone to use my hard earned contributions for hot food delivered by a delivery driver. For someone with a legitimate mobility disorder, I can understand maybe making SNAP benefits be used for grocery delivery, but only for staple items. Get a bag of potatoes and get busy in the kitchen…it’s a much better use of the taxpayers’ money and it makes you more connected to your food.
What’s next, cruises? Because, vacation is a basic human right, you know? Besides, think of the children who’ve never been before!!
I’m sorry, but…. I am about bled dry, and pretty tired of working to provide for everyone else but me.
No. Just, no.
Careful giving advice, even in jest to a leftist. They will take you seriously and extend it to “recreation is a human right”.
Well, you know Rich, they have all you can eat buffets, so it’s really saving money. It also is cheaper than our hotel program, so cruises for everybody
These people already get better groceries than we paying people do. When I see them getting lobsters and prime steaks, it makes me want to vomit. I cannot afford that yet EBT card holders can? It’s not right!
And now folks want them to be allowed to use it at a restaurant? Incase anyone hasn’t noticed, that’s getting expensive too! No, just no!
If the Vermont legislature wants to help out restaurants, they would demand that all state workers return to on-site work, where they may go out for lunch.
Well the pot dealers need some help too, so cannabis should be allowed too.
Stop worrying, they are not going to go into a restaurant to buy a meal they trade their SNAP benefits for drugs.
jamesvitolanese
So that’s what you think all SNAP recipients do is sit around trading foodstamps for drugs? You need a wake-up call you judgemental dolt.
Re: “Anora Horton, Williston, executive director of Hunger Free Vermont, Thursday afternoon February 6 asked the Vermont House Human Services Committee to allow EBT cards given to low income Vermonters to be used to buy restaurant meals.”
Checking on Hunger Free Vermont, I find that in 2023 it had $1.968 Million in revenue, $1.145 Million in salaries and employee benefits, $256 Thousand in fund raising expenses (including another $143 Thousand in ‘other salaries and wages’, paying its director $102,510, while having accumulated $1.881 Million in Net Assets and various Fund Balances.
This is a typical Vermont non-profit NGO. And, of course, it would behoove our legislators to check to see if Ms. Horton has any affiliations with the restaurants that may benefit from this request. Or, as the Vermont Constitution requires, “… previous to any law being made to raise a tax, the purpose for which it is to be raised ought to appear evident to the Legislature to be of more service to community than the money would be if not collected.”
What a thought.
Is it any wonder that Vermont ‘do-gooders’ are so concerned with DOGE (Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency)? While we are being asked to ‘do it for the elderly’, or ‘do it for the children’, or ‘do it for the disabled’, or ‘do it for the homeless’, what we’re really doing is supporting grifters with questionable track records.
Jay, have to keep the grift going, grifters need to dine out! Doge will be coming to Vermont, we are Astro turf capital with a main course of grift. I’m wondering how long it will be before Vt Digger has to do staff adjustments, how long before the usaid gravy train dries up?
I hope DOGE is looking at Vt Medicaid and welfare recipients and uncovering all of the fraud/abuse and waste and I should think, governor Scott is supporting their efforts!!!! I heard DOGE found two Medicare recipients (don’t know where?) who are still getting their monthly checks— problem is they are 156 years old!! How is that possible? Come on people, We all live on a budget living within our means but that doesn’t mean taxpayers should pay for a meal out at a restaurant when you shouldn’t be getting assistance!!!!!
The whole government is bloated corrupt involved in abuse/fraud/waste issues that have lasted decades. Since there hasn’t been a balanced budget in years—I’m a resounding NO on snap recipients to be able to go to restaurants for a meal—Go and get a job—
And-I say GO TO IT MR. MUSK-You are doing a GREAT JOB and I Can’t wait for Dept of Education —have you people seen the latest 4th and 8th graders efficiency scores for reading and math-our country is dead last but we are #1 in what we pay per pupil to educate. There’s a reckoning coming.
Not only does the U.S. spend more per student than do other countries, Vermont spends more per student than any other State in the U.S.. That’s called a double whammy.
Yes we spend more than any other state, but just look at the high test scores it brings…not.
But they learned America is bad, and Vermonters are racist! They can’t make change but they know how to protest. They are taught lust is love and how to envy. It’s not all about reading and writing and arithmetic, one has to get rid of the four olds! After all the world is going to end, this time for sure in 8 years!
Sure thing, I’ll give you EBT restaurants, and raise you disqualify EBT holders that purchase alcohol, drugs, tobacco; or have ever been convicted of theft or felony law violations.
I assume there will be a separate card for tips? Also will this go round the 10% tax on prepared food or will it add insult to injury for the rest of us?
I can’t afford dining out and real estate taxes are impoverishing me. People can buy prepared foods at the grocery store. This is outrageous, and utterly tone deaf! I think I may write a national news piece about Vermont’s absurdities here.
EBT cannot be used to buy hot foods. Someone who runs for office should know what is allowed and what is not.
Go for it, John. Nobody better to nail the excesses and insanities of the current many situations in Vermont!
What a racket….vote them out.
We need to get Elon in VT after he finishes with DC.
I followed a couple of “poor and disadvantaged” souls around Walmart and they had TWO carts piled to the brim with more food than I could eat in 6 months. ALL bought and paid for by you and me/EBT. THERE’S the answer to who is gonna do the farm work when the illegals are sent back-anyone on unemployment and/or welfare.
You do not know the circumstances of people who are shopping. It is nobody’s business what people buy. They may have a large family. They may be shopping for others. They may have to shop in bulk due to transportation issue, or for some other reason. How do you know they are “poor and disadvantaged “? And even if they are, why is that fact enough to permit you to sit in judgment? I am sorry for you. The world is a hard place for too many folks and those of us who have it better should be glad and should reach out a helping hand, not spew contempt and derision. I hope you don’t identify as Christian, because as far as I recall from Sunday School, Jesus fed everyone who showed up, and there was even food left over. He didn’t ask if they were poor; he just said come and be fed.
If they are allowed to pay for their meals with ETB cards, will the cards also be used to tipping the staff? You just can’t make this stuff up.
As someone who lives in a motel ON MY OWN DIME: there is a microwave and that’s all that’s provided. I wish I have a full fridge. Still, I make gourmet things, nonetheless, by investing in multicooker, foreman grill, etc..
Awesome. Vermont is at the forefront of the farm-to-table movement. It’s encouraging to see youR comment. A comment from one that sees the possibilities(realities?) of what can be possible for so many.
Are they serious? Working people can barely afford to eat in restaurants. And hire staff to administer this program? This is absolutely ludicrous.
No judgment on anyone who is a recipient of the program, but restaurants, no…just no.
Who persuaded the marginally functional Anora Horton to come up with this ridiculous travesty–Emma Mulvaney-Stanak?
There should be a move to bring back the Vermont County Poor Farms instead.
Can I even say that in Vermont’s new BS politically correct environment?…
Why not buy them a hotplate or George Foreman Grill. They would they be able to cook healthy foods at their home- temporary home OR permanent. This would help break the cycle of Americans eating unhealthy, fatty, chemical-laden engineered fast foods as well as helping to support local farms.
They may be poor and disadvantaged, but they deserve to enjoy healthy meals rather than junk food.
$75,000 for a restuarant startup to provide meals with an EBT card machine? I would think that a bank could provide one for free.
What a great incentive for those able bodied people with EBT cards and living in free housing to run out and get a job. We have some brilliant lawmakers. Who really cares anyway. it’s only taxpayers money.