This morning, as the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee continues its week of health and human services budget hearings, the Department of Health & Welfare's Division of Welfare is first up. Administrator Russ Barron shared some stats about the 235,000 Idahoans now receiving food stamps, which are administered by the division. Nearly half - 48 percent - are children. Of the adults, 9 percent are disabled, and 3 percent are seniors over age 65; two-thirds have children at home.

Barron described a typical situation: A family of four, in which the father has lost his full-time job, and is working part-time at $9 an hour; the mother is working at $7 an hour; and neither employer offers health benefits. With average costs for rent, utilities and transportation to work, "A family living in poverty has little left to pay for food, child care and especially health care needs," Barron told lawmakers. "Our program helps families to maintain their stability in the workforce."