Gary King says his opponent is now taking aim at New Mexico’s poorest citizens with her latest edict that will result in 80,000 people being disqualified from receiving state aid for food.
“It is draconian, arrogant, and just plain cruel,” says King, referring to Susana Martinez’s plan to reinstate certain eligibility requirements that could halt the issuance of food stamps for large numbers of people in the state.
King adds, “Our economy is far fromrobust and tightening aid requirements at this time is unconscionable. Our economy is in the dumps, jobs are scarce, but people still have to feed their children.”
Fortunately, New Mexico non-profit groups are suing to stop the Governor from literally taking food off the table from hungry people. According to the ThinkProgress publication, New Mexico plans to implement work requirements for food stamps despite being one of 37 states to qualify for a statewide, year-long waiver from the work rules for fiscal year 2015.
“The Governor subscribes to the notion that local food charities will make up the loss of sustenance for the poor, but nationwide, charities have been warning that they are already over-extended and some indicate they are on the brink of closing their doors due to a lack of resources and staggeringly high demand,” says King. “Taking food away from New Mexico’s poorest...this from a governor who spent thousands on an espresso machine for her mansion.”