Left, Assemblywoman Katrina Shankland talks with officials from Stevens Point during a public meeting on Bus. 51 last year. (City-Times photo)

By Patrick Lynn

Two Wisconsin representatives on Thursday will announce plans to protect low- income families from cuts to food stamps.

Rep. Katrina Shankland of Stevens Point and Milwaukee’s Rep. Evan Goyke will release more information on their proposal during press briefing in Milwaukee. Sherrie Tussler, Executive Director of Hunger Task Force and Jonathan Bader from Wisconsin Community Action Program Association will also be in attendance.

Allocation of FoodShare, the state’s food stamp program, will be changed as a part of the 2014 Farm Bill. Currently, low- income residents qualify for a boost in their food stamp allowance if they receive at least $1 in low-income energy assistance as part of the federal “Heat and Eat” program. Changes in the Farm Bill would raise that minimum from $1 to $20 before low-income families can get the extra food stamp help.

A press release from Shankland’s office says the cuts would affect 255,000 Wisconsin households.

Shankland, along with Goyke have introduced legislation which would raise the annual amount of federal dollars Wisconsin allocates for Heat and Eat assistance from $1 to $21 per household.

The State Assembly adjourned last week without taking action on the bill, but Governor Walker retains the authority to implement the same measure with an Executive Order.

According to the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, allocating $5.4 million of federal funds to the Heat and Eat program would preserve $276.2 million in FoodShare benefits for Wisconsin families. No state money would be used.