THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

City Hall
New York, NY 10007
(212) 788-7116
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** 
January 5, 2012

Contact: (212) 788-7116
Release # 006-2012

Statement by Speaker Christine C. Quinn
Re: Mayor Bloomberg’s Comments on Eliminating Finger Imaging Requirements for Food Stamp Applicants

“In these tough economic times, we need to help New Yorkers get the federal services they qualify for, not put obstacles in their way. Unfortunately, Mayor Bloomberg and I couldn’t disagree more — fingerprinting food stamp applicants is a time consuming and unnecessary process, which stigmatizes applicants and has prevented 24,000 New Yorkers from getting the help they deserve.  The State has the authority to eliminate finger imaging in New York City, and the Mayor should not even think of challenging Governor Cuomo’s decision.”

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