Rep. Irwin offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 81.

            A resolution to urge the Governor to leverage Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funds to preserve vital Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for the citizens of Michigan.

            Whereas, The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides resources for individuals and families who would otherwise be unable to afford enough food, while increasing revenue for retailers and farmers; and

            Whereas, In 2014, the U.S. Congress cut SNAP benefits to the state of Michigan by $183 million. As a result, 20 percent of the state's recipients, or around 170,000 households, will see cuts to their food budgets; and

            Whereas, The U.S. Congress changed the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to require more than $20 in home heating benefits per household to trigger increased SNAP benefits, up from the previous $1 threshold; and

            Whereas, The majority of governors whose states were affected by these changes to "Heat and Eat" programs have taken steps to apportion more heating assistance funds to ensure that their residents do not suffer reductions in SNAP benefits; and

            Whereas, Increasing LIHEAP assistance to Michigan residents would result in a net increase of federal funds flowing to Michigan. Additional SNAP funding for the state would far exceed the costs of increasing LIHEAP assistance to meet the new $20 threshold; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the Governor to leverage Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funds to preserve vital Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for the citizens of Michigan; and be it further           

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor of Michigan and the Michigan Congressional delegation.