Res. No. 57
Title
Resolution urging Mayor Bloomberg not to reject a waiver offered by the federal and State governments that would expand access to food stamps for hungry New Yorkers.
Body
By Council Members DeBlasio, Avella, Barron, Comrie, Dilan, Gennaro, Jackson, Martinez, McMahon, Perkins, Quinn, Reed, Reyna, Rivera, Sanders Jr., Serrano, Stewart, Vann, Brewer and Liu; also Council Members Felder, Koppell, Monserrate, Nelson, Seabrook and Clarke
Whereas, Due to the combination of the national recession and the World Trade Center attacks, it has been estimated that New York City has lost over 100,000 jobs; and
Whereas, The federal government, in an effort to help localities address the impact of the recession and attendant job losses, has offered New York a waiver of its restrictions regarding food stamp eligibility for Able Bodied Adults Without Dependants (the "ABAWD Waiver"); and
Whereas, Helping New Yorkers obtain food stamps would, in addition to providing nutrition for hungry New Yorkers during a time of recession, also bring in millions of dollars and act as an economic stimulus for the City; and
Whereas, Accepting the ABAWD Waiver in no way prevents the City from requiring food stamp recipients to work for their benefits; and
Whereas, Numerous other counties in New York have accepted the ABAWD Waiver to help New Yorkers cope with the recession; and
Whereas, Mayor Bloomberg's administration has announced that it will decline the offer of the ABAWD Waiver, needlessly shackling the City with restrictions on access to food stamps for hungry New Yorkers at a time when we need flexibility to address the economic and social crises now facing the City; and
Whereas, Since the City does not pay for food stamps, accepting the waiver would cost the City nothing; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York urges Mayor Bloomberg not to reject a waiver offered by the federal and State governments that would expand access to food stamps for hungry New Yorkers.
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