Two Democratic Assembly members announced legislation Thursday that would protect low-income families who rely on food stamps.

 

Wisconsin low-income families can participate in a national program called “Heat and Eat” to help pay for food. If a household receives at least one dollar in energy assistance, they are eligible for food stamps. The 2014 Farm Bill currently increases the minimum energy assistance requirement from one dollar to $20 per household.

 

The new requirement would cut 255,000 families from the FoodShare program.

 

State Reps. Katrina Shankland, D-Stevens Point, and Evan Goyke, D-Milwaukee, propose the state use $5.4 million of federal funds to preserve FoodShare benefits for the families, according to a statement.

 

According to the representatives, the Legislative Fiscal Bureau said the use of federal funds would save Wisconsin $276.3 million in food stamps.

 

The state Assembly adjourned last week and the bills have asked Gov. Scott Walker to use an executive order to enact the bill.

 

“Please use your executive order power to ensure your neighbors don’t go hungry,” Goyke said in the statement.