Griffo, Senate Republicans raise concern with political and partisan messaging from Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
ALBANY, NY- New York State Senator Joe Griffo (R-C, ROME) and members of the Senate Republican Conference recently wrote a letter to the Commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), urging her to immediately stop her overtly political and inappropriate statements regarding the federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Instead, they suggested the agency investigate the $40 million lost due to SNAP theft and fraud and work collaboratively with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to deliver meaningful solutions that improve the lives of all New Yorkers.
“The agency, or any other in the state for that matter, should not be using state resources to engage in rhetoric or to push an agenda that is political in nature,” Griffo stated.
In the letter, lawmakers wrote: “Rather than focusing your public commentary on Republican members of Congress, we urge you to direct your attention to the serious issue of SNAP fraud in New York State. Between 2022 and 2024, SNAP theft in New York totaled over $40 million. Though our state accounts for just seven percent of SNAP recipients nationwide, we are responsible for 18 percent of the fraud. That discrepancy suggests urgent reforms are needed at the state level to protect taxpayers and preserve the program for honest recipients.”
A full copy is available to read below:
"Dear Commissioner Guinn,
We are writing to express our deep concern regarding your department’s recent statements on proposed federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The tone and content of these communications are overtly political and inappropriate for a government agency tasked with serving all New Yorkers.
We understand Governor Hochul is gearing up for a tough re-election, but the use of state resources to amplify partisan messaging must cease immediately. Language such as describing the federal changes as “cruel” or “unthinkable” more closely resembles campaign rhetoric than the neutral, fact-based analysis expected from your department.
These talking points are best left to the Democratic National Committee, not parroted by a state agency that performs vital public service. The new requirements that able-bodied adults between the ages of 18 and 54 work a minimum of 20 hours per week is neither “cruel” nor “unthinkable.” It is a reasonable measure to ensure the program’s integrity and reserve benefits for those who truly need them.
Rather than focusing your public commentary on Republican members of Congress, we urge you to direct your attention to the serious issue of SNAP fraud in New York State. Between 2022 and 2024, SNAP theft in New York totaled over $40 million.
Though our state accounts for just seven percent of SNAP recipients nationwide, we are responsible for 18 percent of the fraud.1 That discrepancy suggests urgent reforms are needed at the state level to protect taxpayers and preserve the program for honest recipients.
As Commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, your obligation is to serve all New Yorkers, not just those who share your political views. We strongly encourage you to step back from partisan messaging and work collaboratively with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to deliver meaningful solutions that improve the lives of all New Yorkers.
Thank you for your attention to this matter."
New York State Senator Joe Griffo image.
