As Thousands Lose SNAP Benefits, New Yorkers Speak Out While Rep. Lawler Weakly Tweets About Women’s History Month
WESTCHESTER, NEW YORK —On, Wednesday, Empire State Voices put a spotlight on the growing financial burden facing Hudson Valley women and families as historic SNAP cuts take effect. In an effort to both help the community and draw attention to this critical issue, ESV delivered over 100 non-perishable food items donated from the community to The Tarrytown Community Opportunity Center. ESV was joined by local residents, Tarrytown Community Opportunity Center leaders, and elected officials in hosting a press conference to discuss the donation and put a spotlight on concerns.
On March 1st, massive cuts to the SNAP program from Congressman Mike Lawler’s Republican Tax Law took effect. Despite the fact that single mothers account for 44% of all SNAP recipients, Rep. Lawler is choosing to post happy tweets about Women’s History Month while doing nothing to actually help the women in his district feed their families.
“Unfortunately for Rep. Lawler’s constituents, his TV hits and social media posts will do nothing to put food on the tables of hungry families,” said Dylan Wheeler, Regional Organizing Director for Empire State Voices. “Hundreds of thousands of households across New York could lose access to badly needed SNAP benefits because Rep. Lawler voted for more tax breaks for billionaires at the expense of feeding moms and babies in the Hudson Valley. That’s the tradeoff he made, and that’s why we’re going to continue to hold him accountable.”
“Congressman Lawler’s original sin was voting yes for the Republican Tax Law, raising the barrier for access to SNAP benefits while simultaneously reducing the amount that recipients receive,” said Kenny Herzog, a Village of Tarrytown Trustee. “Residents of Tarrytown and municipalities across CD-17 are making dire choices every day in order to square the circle of stagnant wages and soaring costs of living, and they simply cannot afford to wonder where their next meal is coming from — nor do they deserve that uncertainty. Do the right thing, Congressman, open your eyes, and restore these benefits in earnest.”
To learn more about Empire State Voices, contact press@empirestatevoices.org
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About Empire State Voices
Empire State Voices is a multi-year campaign dedicated to amplifying the voices of everyday working New Yorkers. We are fighting for economic policies that make life more affordable for constituents and holding members of Congress across the state accountable when they fail to do the same.
