SAXTONS RIVER-An open letter to Gov. Phil Scott:
On Aug. 10, I received an email from a valued member of our community who lives in Bellows Falls. The letter, addressed to you, Gov. Phil Scott, condemns your unilateral action to turn over SNAP-benefit applicants' and recipients' names and personal information to the Trump administration without the consent of those involved, the Legislature, the attorney general, or the public.
This information should be protected and not thoughtlessly given over to a regime whose intentions are clearly less than honorable.
As governor, your job is to protect the people of Vermont, regardless of income or political affiliation. You have failed in performing the duty of your office. Your actions also preempted Attorney General Charity Clark from joining 20 other states in a lawsuit to oppose the Trump administration's request for personal info.
Your actions breed fear and intimidation - 64,000 Vermonters receiving SNAP benefits have no idea what will happen to them at the hands of this administration.
Did it occur to you that people in this state will be afraid for themselves and their families? And what does this say about future requests from Trump for sensitive info on other populations he sets his sights on?
The damage is done, it cannot be undone, and I am extremely disappointed with your decision. I urge you to consider the residents of Vermont and place their rights before those of a dubious federal government.
Meg Lucas
Saxtons River
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