Mississippi is the state with the highest rate of obesity. The state legislature has passed a bill "saying that any law that might restrict what Mississippians eat or drink has to go through them--barring federal regulations," meaning that no one can pass a law restricting any part of Mississippians' diets. Gov. Phil Bryant is likely to quickly sign this bill. Legislators call it the anti-Bloomberg bill, since Michael Bloomberg's attempt to limit sugared drinks was denied by a state judge. Although it may seem controversial, legislators want this bill to be passed because they don't want to government to tell people what they can and can't eat. The FDA is preparing a nation menu labeling law which would require calorie counts on menus and vending machines. The law was approved three years ago, but it has been hard to implement. The new Mississippi law would not require any formal portion sizes or calorie counts on menus.

Link
Www.nytimes.com/2013/03/14/us/anti-Bloomberg-bill-in-Mississippi-bars-local-restrictions-on-food-and-drink.html?ref=us&_r=0

The $85 billion of automatic sequestration cuts cut federal programs proportionately across the board. Many of the programs including ones with food stamps and vouchers with housing for the poor help low-income Americans. Sequestration was meant to force legislators to negotiate in Congress. Government agencies have 7 months until September to carry out the budget cuts. Needy families may have to be denied financial and other aid. 125,000 families will be at risk for becoming homeless. 100,000 formerly homeless people may be removed from emergency shelters. Administrators are trying to decide how to cut their budgets by 5.1 percent. Adrianne Todman (director of DC Housing) said that people currently in the program will not be put on the streets. Todman plans in deferring maintenance and leaving staff vacancies open. Eventually, she may be forced to furlough employees. More than 40% of the people in the programs nationwide are children or elderly and more than a quarter live with disabilities. Some places have stopped issuing new housing vouchers. These budget cuts mean that less people will get help. WIC, which provides food and baby formula, will face significant cuts. WIC is considers one of the most effective government social programs. Up to 775,000 low-income women and children according to calculations by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Republicans think that the cuts are a necessary part of ameliorating the economy. President Obama thinks that the "sequester's 'brutal' and 'severe' cuts will 'eviscerate' America's domestic spending." The impact of sequestration will hit families disproportionately.

Link

Www.nytimes.com/2013/03/04/us/politics/poor-face-most-pain-as-automatic-budget-cuts-take-effect.html?hp&_r=0

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