Author: Deb Sanderson

It was stunning to read headlines accusing the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) of misappropriation regarding the TANF block grant funds last week. As a member of the HHS committee, I know first-hand that DHHS has been exceedingly transparent in their efforts to ensure resources are dedicated to appropriate programs to help our most vulnerable citizens During the last session, Commissioner Mary Mayhew’s staff presented a document to the Health and Human Services Committee (HHS) clearly outlining their intent to transfer TANF block grant funds to the Social Services Block Grant in order to maximize federal funding for…

The nonsensical backlash aimed at Gov. LePage following his attempt to ban junk food purchases with food stamps puts on full display just how out of touch the Democratic establishment is when it comes to welfare programs. Democrats continue to say they don’t want Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps, benefits being used to buy junk food, but they oppose the governor’s effort to get the federal government to allow Maine to prohibit the purchase of those items with Maine food stamp benefits. There are countless items in any given supermarket that cannot be purchased with food stamps. It…