By Michael Aron
Chief Political Correspondent
“The purpose of the bill is just making sure that people have the ability to put food on their table,” said Assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera.
This is where people in Essex County apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — SNAP — or food stamps.
This PSE&G office nearby is where they can apply for LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Under new federal guidelines, households must show $20 worth of LIHEAP aid as proof they are eligible for SNAP.
The legislature passed a bill in June giving eligible households $21 worth of LIHEAP, so they could qualify for a SNAP supplement worth $90 a month.
Gov. Chris Christie vetoed it, saying it violated federal law.
The veto message said, “While I will remain steadfast in my support for assistance programs to help needy individuals and families, I cannot support legislation codifying a practice deemed invalid by the federal government.”
Democrats in the Assembly tried to override that veto today, but failed — the 60th time in five years they have tried and failed to override a Christie veto.
Mosquera said she knew the attempt would fail. When asked why the lawmakers bothered to try, she said, “Why not? This is about fighting for what is right. It’s about the people of the state.”
“The Obama administration actually issued an opinion letter indicating that this procedure is technically incorrect and wrong,” said Assemblyman Jon Bramnick.
Last weekend in Iowa Christie urged Republicans to do more for the working class.
Democrats say his veto hurts 160,000 New Jersey households.
“Ninety dollars per month may not sound like a lot to us who can afford to shop. But for the people who are dependent on their SNAP allocations, this is devastating,” said Assemblywoman Mila Jasey.
In June, the Assembly passed the bill 60 to 13 and the same day the Senate passed it 36 to 1.
But Republicans who voted for it then would not vote to override their governor today.
“Every time the administration has come to the caucus and to ask for this support on a position, it’s always been very well reasoned. They’ve presented factual information to us that makes a lot of sense about why they’ve ruled the way they have on any particular bill,” said Assemblyman Scott Rumana.
Democrats say they have a letter from Sen. Robert Menendez saying the bill would not violate federal law, but that didn’t persuade any Republicans to cross their governor, something they have yet to do.