By David A. Daz - Legislative Media
Lawmaker Condemns Bill OReillys False Charges Against Texans on Border with Mexico
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Rep. Terry Canales D-Edinburg on Friday March 8 filed legislation to require Texas to further protect the integrity of SNAP the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as the food stamp program) which serves more than four million qualified Texans especially children.
The South Texas leader also condemned Fox Television Network political commentator Bill OReilly who claimed during his February 27 episode of his national television broadcast
The OReilly Factor that SNAP fraud is all over the place down on the border."
His legislation House Bill 3631 requires the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (which administers SNAP and related cash assistance programs in the state) to withdraw all SNAP benefits that have not been spent after 90 days. It would also prevent a person from accumulating more than three months worth of SNAP benefits on their Lone Star Card.
Let me make it clear: SNAP is tremendously important for all Texans because it helps our most vulnerable citizens especially households with children elderly and the disabled" Canales noted. In addition every year SNAP pumps billions of dollars in federal money into our state and local economies. My legislation is designed to help protect the integrity of these important programs by making sure our state government correctly provides these benefits to Texans who are truly in need."
SNAP offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible low-income individuals and families and provides economic benefits to communities according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. SNAP is the largest program in the hunger safety net.
Monthly SNAP benefits in Texas are credited into the states successful Lone Star Card which is a plastic card that is used like a debit card according to HHSC. Each month approved monthly benefits are placed in the cards account.
Monthly benefits that are not used in one month stay in the Lone Star Card and are added to the balance when the next months scheduled SNAP benefits are deposited into the recipients Lone Star Card.
Canales legislation was a response to a local news investigation in mid-February which featured a Lone Star Card receipt that showed a balance of more than $7000.
Its unclear how widespread the problem of high-balance SNAP accounts is" he said. Nevertheless the idea that funds can roll over indefinitely is not a sound accounting principle and is not in the best interest of the SNAP program. We simply must improve the state governments management and accounting practices of this vital program and my legislation is one way to help make sure our tax funds are used properly."
The state lawmaker added This is not so much a fraud issue as it is an internal accounting issue."
The House District 40 state representative said he was dismayed with comments by OReilly who featured highlights of the KGBT-TV news story on the $7000 Lone Star Card balance.
OReilly claimed that money generated from illegal drug sales which is never reported as income to the government allows dishonest individuals to build large cash surpluses in their Lone Star Card while possessing material wealth that should disqualify them from the anti-poverty program.
While I was working at WFAA in Dallas I did an investigative report on the border about this exact thing. They have mansions Mercedes (Benzs) five six cars. Do you know where they are making the money getting the money? Drugs" OReilly contended. The drug traffickers dont declare obviously occupation: cocaine dealer. Its all cash so drug dealers and other people in that business making a lot of money dont declare it so the government sends them food stamps and other assistance. Thats all over the place down on the border."
Canales called OReillys depiction of the U.S. border with Mexico and SNAP recipients insulting incorrect and ignorant."
Mr. OReilly is wrong about the people who live along the U.S.-Mexico border" Canales said. We work hard for a living we are successful we are law-abiding citizens and we take care of those in need. Now thats the truth about border Texans."
Canales noted that according to a June 2012 Texas Tribune article (
Hunger Study: One in Four Texas Children At Risk) SNAP in 2010 provided benefits to 3.6 million Texans among them nearly two million children or one in four Texas children.
An updated report by StateHealthFacts.org a healthcare data project of the Kaiser Foundation states that 4.1 million Texans received SNAP benefits as of October 2012 (www.statehealthfacts.org/profileind.jsp?cat=1&rgn=45&sub=7).
According to the Texas Commission on Health and Human Service SNAP benefits are given to a single person or family who meets the programs requirements. HHSC sends a renewal application to a family getting SNAP before the end of each benefit period. Most benefit periods last for six months but some can be as short as one month or as long as three years.
For most adults between the ages of 18 and 50 who do not have a child in the home SNAP benefits are limited to three months in a three-year period. The benefit period can be longer if the adult works at least 20 hours a week or is in a job or training program.
Some people may not have to work to get benefits such as those who have a disability or are pregnant.
