To the Editor, New York Post:

Your criticism of Governor Spitzer for increasing food stamps access for eligible New Yorkers is both factually inaccurate and ideologically confused.

The Governor did not eliminate finger-printing for all food stamps applicants. He did so only for families in which one person is working at least 30 hours per week or two people are each working at least 20 hours per week. Given that finger-printing costs the State far more than it saves in fraud-detection, advocates wish the Governor had eliminated it for all applicants. Thus it is particularly absurd to criticize the very moderate position he took by eliminating it just for working families.

The Post also continues to be ideologically confused regarding food stamps. One the one hand, you want more people to move from welfare to work, but, on the other hand, you ignore the reality that food stamps benefits are one of the most important tools to help families successfully make that transition. Governor Spitzer should be hailed for rewarding work.

Joel Berg
Executive Director
New York City Coalition Against Hunger
(212) 825-0028, ext. 204
jberg@nyccah.org