Living on food stamps in Staten Island

The number of families receiving food stamps in Central New York has climbed by more than 50 percent since 2001.

That's a faster rise than the statewide increase of 41 percent.

Social services officials attribute the rise to a lagging economy, soaring gas prices, stronger efforts to enroll people who qualify, and changes in state and federal policies that have made more people eligible for food stamps.

Post Standard, Syracuse NY

The 2000 Census shows that in Staten Island family household income was struggling to make ends meet. 15.2% of the borough made less than $25,000. Of course this was back when we had a surplus under President Clinton and families were not burdened with today's economy and gas prices.

5.3% made less than $10,000
3.3% made $10,000 to $14,999
6.6% made $15,000 to $24,999

What has Rep. Vito Fossella done about this? [via his Issues page]

• He helped eliminate the Estate Tax which covers fewer than 2% of estates. In 2006, the tax is applicable to estates valued over $2,000,000.


• He helped provide tax credits for families who can afford to send their children to private schools.


• He defeated the proposal to eliminate mortgage deductions on taxes.


• Protected residents from the Alternative Minimum Tax which he notes effects families with incomes well over $50,000.

Of course if your family's household combined income is less than $25,000 none of this applies to you. I challenge anyone to find a policy or program he has supported that benefits families in this lowest income bracket.

"There is no social program in the country as important as a good job that pays well." - Sen. Bryan Dorgan

Steve Harrison favors using some of the revenue from repealing the Bush tax cuts for job creation from public and private sources, education, training and increasing the safety net available to those who cannot find work. He also believes in developing public policy that will discourage the outsourcing of blue and white-collar jobs overseas.