June 2017 – Hunger Action Network of NYS

Wage Theft Legislation – see you in January 2018
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Wage Theft Legislation – see you in January 2018

Wage Theft Legislation – see you in January 2018

06/27/2017

ALBANY – A wage theft law is on the books in New York State, but there is an effort to close a loophole that allows guilty businesses to hide assets and avoid paying what is owed.

Susan Zimet of Greene County, executive director of the Hunger Action Network of New York State, is lobbying to have to close that loophole in the next several days.

“We are trying to do what is called the ‘SWEAT’ legislation, which is ‘Securing Wages Earned Against Theft’ to basically put a lien on the business at the very beginning of the lawsuit so the assets can’t be moved around and if somebody wins, they can end up actually getting the back wages,” she said.

The measure passed in the Assembly last year and Zimet expects it to be approved again this year.

She is pushing to have the bill, which is currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by John Bonacic (R, Mt. Hope), approved before lawmakers adjourn in about one week

June 27th, 2017|Categories: News from HANNYS|

Legislation would allow leftover school food to donated to emergency feeding programs
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Legislation would allow leftover school food to donated to emergency feeding programs

Legislation would allow leftover school food to donated to emergency feeding programs

06/27/2017

Seen in: Mid-Hudson News

ALBANY – Legislation that would create guidelines for school districts to donate unused food to food pantries, soup kitchens and other community organizations is on its way to the governor’s desk.

The proposal would authorize the state education department to establish guidelines for districts to voluntarily offer unused food to those organizations and Susan Zimet, executive director of the Hunger Action Network of New York State, hailed the effort to make sure children’s bellies are full.

“Those that are hungry and in need of the food will be able to get this food and eat this food,” Zimet said. “Many of the kids that would probably have eaten in their own school will now be able to eat the meal at the local soup kitchen or food pantry without having to go without eating.”

The legislation has been before state lawmakers for eight years.

“Allowing schools to donate unused food from cafeterias presents a great opportunity to help feed those in need,” said State Senator Jeffrey Klein (D, Bronx), a sponsor of the measure. “This legislation is a common sense solution to do just that while at the same time preventing food from going to waste.”

Zimet also noted the bill also benefits the environment as food waste decomposing in landfills contributes 90 percent of landfill methane emissions, a greenhouse gas 25 times […]

June 27th, 2017|Categories: External posts|

Cuts to SNAP spell danger
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Cuts to SNAP spell danger

Cuts to SNAP spell danger

When gas prices ticked up in 2008, the lines at the food pantries he supplies through the Albany-based Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York were out the door. And then came the Great Recession and even longer lines. Now Quandt has his radar on standby for a new thunderhead approaching: Trump administration budget cuts for food stamps amounting to $193 billion over 10 years.