LePage Threatens To Halt Federal Food Stamp Program Over Candy And Soda Inclusion

Republican Gov. Paul LePage delivers his inauguration address after taking the oath of office for his second term, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015, at the Augusta Civic Center in Augusta, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Republican Gov. Paul LePage is threatening to halt Maine’s administration of the federal food stamp program if he can’t ban recipients from buying products such as Mars bars and Mountain Dew.

LePage wrote to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack criticizing the agency for denying Maine’s request for a waiver to institute such a ban.

The federal government has never approved such a waiver. It instead supports incentives that encourage recipients to eat healthy.

LePage claims President Barack Obama’s administration polices school menus but kowtows to powerful food groups by letting taxpayers finance junk food.

Citing Maine’s rising obesity and diabetes rates, LePage said he’ll seek “to implement reform unilaterally or cease Maine’s administration of the food stamp program altogether.”

He suggested the federal government should administer Maine’s program.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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  1. At least he isn’t siccing the gun nuts on them… yet.

    Gov. Paul LePage called on Mainers to help law enforcement rid the state of drug traffickers Wednesday, at one point citing a new law that allows residents to carry a concealed handgun without a permit.

  2. Really Maine?

    Really?

    This guy? Twice?

  3. I enjoy vacationing in Maine but I do wonder about the citizens who have put this ?person in charge.

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