The federal food stamp program is so large, there's no telling where the money went. And some reporters complain the government won't say when asked.
Theoretically, food stamps are being used to buy healthy food. But attorney Michele Simon at eatdrinkpolitics.com says it's common for stamp users to spend them on junk food.
“It’s crazy to have the federal government actually subsidizing the purchase of these products.”
But Simon says it’s an important program and she doesn’t want it to end or even be cut. She just wants more transparency.
The USDA says privacy concerns mean it can't reveal how $80-billion worth of food stamps is spent. Jonathan Lewis at the Center for Public Policy Priorities in Austin says Texans have no reason to worry about fraud.
“Texans should be proud of their state agency. The Health and Human Services Commission has done an amazing job at fighting fraud.”
Lewis says Texas has the lowest food stamp fraud rate among the states and food stamps are helping the poor get back on their feet.
