Meeting Public Comments

Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.

Comments Submitted:

03-04-2025

Jeannine Laughlin

HSB 248: Imposes stricter work requirements for SNAP recipients: only 3% of SNAP recipients in Iowa are ablebodied adults without dependents (ABAWD) and 32% of SNAP recipients in Iowa are children. Work requirements already exist for SNAP and there are already stricter requirements for ABAWDs Imposing further requirements will make the SNAP application process more complex, unintentionally kicking off families and children who do qualify Implementing these stricter regulations for SNAP will be costly to Iowan taxpayers who overwhelmingly support SNAP. The cost of groceries has increased by 25% since 2020, despite declining inflation. SNAP is the best tool we have to fight food insecurity in our state, every year SNAP lifts over 23,000 children out of poverty here in Iowa 85% of voters believe SNAP is important for helping families facing food insecurity. 70% of voters support reducing the amount government paperwork required to apply for SNAP

03-04-2025

Donna Godar

I urge you to vote NO on HSB 248. I am concerned about how this will affect child poverty/hunger in our state. 1/3 of those using SNAP are children! More requirements will make the process for applying even more difficult and more families will unintentionally get kicked off. 70% of Iowa voters support reducing the amount of government paperwork to apply for SNAP. More regulations means more cost to the state even though the majority of Iowans support SNAP. It is the best tool we have to fight food insecurity in Iowa. As a former teacher, I had classes that had almost half of my students qualify for free/reduced meals. I know food banks are feeling the stress of reduced government support of children and their families to find food. Please vote NO so this doesnt get harder.

03-04-2025

Tiffany Welch

I urge a NO vote on HSB 248. Part of my volunteer work with my church congregation is helping people access food and other services they're entitled to use. SNAP has become more and more complex, and congregants are spending time recertifying that could be used to work (only 3% of Iowa's SNAP users ablebodied adults without dependents) or raise their families. 30% of SNAP beneficiaries are children. Making SNAP even harder to access hurts everyone, but especially kids. Vote no on this bill and stop making it harder for families to feed their families

03-05-2025

Tabitha Simms-Quigley

Please don't advance HSB 248. More regulation means more money spent enforcing that regulation, which is not an effective use of tax payer funds. SNAP is a viewed overwhelmingly positively, and making it harder to access by those who are eligible makes life harder for Iowans. Only 3% of SNAP beneficiaries are ABAWD, so this creates more work and more taxpayer money for just a few people. 30% of recipients are children. This will harm kids by making food that supplements their family food budget less accessible. Vote no.

03-05-2025

Shannan Barnes

Vote yes for HSB 241 By implementing the "Work Without Worry" program, Iowa can lead in empowering individuals with disabilities, fostering an inclusive workforce, and strengthening the state's economy. This promotes employment among individuals with disabilities, Improves quality of life and encourages employer participation.

03-05-2025

Paige Chickering

I strongly encourage you to reconsider HSB 248. Extending more strict work requirements to SNAP will have no impact on workforce participation, it will increase costs to the state burdening Iowa's taxpayers, and will kick children and families off benefits who are complying with work requirements because of complex paperwork and rad tape. At a time when food banks across our state are consistently serving record breaking numbers of people, making food assistance harder to access will be catastrophic for low income children and families in our communities. I urge you to stand with Iowa's food banks, churches, and community organizations that are struggling to meet the need for food assistance we are seeing across our state by protecting SNAP and voting NO on HSB 248. Thank you,

03-05-2025

nikki ingram

Supporting this bill is crucial for the wellbeing of vulnerable individuals facing physical and mental health challenges. By establishing the Work Without Worry program under the medical assistance framework, we can provide essential support to employed individuals with disabilities, ensuring they have access to necessary resources without the fear of losing their healthcare. This initiative not only promotes inclusivity in the workforce but also empowers those who may otherwise struggle to maintain their employment due to health concerns. By backing this bill, we affirm our commitment to fostering a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their circumstances.

03-05-2025

nikki ingram

Supporting bill number HSB 241 is essential for the wellbeing of vulnerable individuals confronting physical and mental health challenges. The establishment of the Work Without Worry program within the medical assistance framework will enable us to offer vital support to employed individuals with disabilities, ensuring they can access necessary resources without the anxiety of losing their healthcare. This initiative not only fosters inclusivity in the workforce but also empowers those who might otherwise find it difficult to sustain their employment due to health issues. By endorsing this bill, we reaffirm our dedication to creating a society where every individual has the opportunity to thrive, irrespective of their circumstances.

03-05-2025

Diane Findley [Iowa CareGivers]

Iowa CareGivers is registered against HSB248 due to the impact it could have on direct care workers and the state's workforce challenges overall. Please see attached. Thank you. Di Findley

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