The Associated Press is reporting the compromise farm bill passed Wed., Jan. 30, by the House sets policy for food stamps and farm programs. The bill would cut food stamps by around $800 million a year and continue generous farm subsidies. Some of what is in the bill:

• Test programs in 10 states that would allow new work requirements for food stamp recipients.


• A prohibition on lottery winners, convicted sex offenders and murderers from receiving food stamps.


• The end of so-called direct payments, government subsidies paid to farmers whether they farm or not.


• Stricter limits on how much money an individual farmer can receive.


• A new dairy program that would do away with current price supports and allow farmers to purchase a new kind of insurance that pays out when the gap between the price they receive for milk and their feed costs narrows.

In a statement released to his constituents following passage, U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson called the bill good for New York and good for the country. He said the bill represents a significant victory for local farmers, ensuring they have the ability to sustain and grown their operations. Read the full Associated Press story in the Washington Post.