SNAP

This column appeared in the Denver Business Journal as a counterpoint to a column by Justin Longo of the Independence Institute. (Link to similar column use because of copyright restrictions.)

By Rich Jones

By Scot Kersgaard
Colorado Independent

Rep. Cherylin Peniston, D-Westminster, announced today that she will introduce a bill to restore funding to the Colorado Department of Education's free breakfast program. Republican members of the Joint Budget Committee last week thought $125,000 for the breakfast program would be a good place to start cutting expenses to make up for major tax-revenue shortfalls this year.

Last week the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) denied funding for free breakfasts for about 12,000 low-income students even though we have the money and it will not add to our budget short fall. In a 3-3 vote the JBC rejected a request for $124,000 in additional funding for the Start Smart Nutrition Program.