I found the recent decision by Gov. LePage to ignore the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services one of his most astonishing actions to date (“U.S. asks Maine to delay photos on welfare cards,” April 26). His political calculation not only threatens people’s access to food, it puts hundreds of thousands of federal dollars at risk.

Gov. LePage wants to require photos on electronic benefit cards. Despite the evidence that this does nothing to decrease fraud. Despite the evidence that this will prevent children from getting food assistance. And despite the fact that it jeopardizes federal funding for Maine.

Maine has the third highest rate of hunger in the nation, and one in four Maine children regularly goes without access to food. Gov. LePage’s election-year politicking threatens to take kids’ meals off the table. Voters should be appalled.

Sarah Standiford

South Portland

 

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