HARRISBURG — Former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell is asking his successor to cancel plans to deny food stamps to people who the state determines have personal assets that are worth more than a certain amount.

A letter delivered today by Rendell to Gov. Tom Corbett warned an asset test would be expensive to administer and harmful to the economy.

Corbett’s spokesman calls Rendell “an expert on food stamps,” noting the number of state residents who receive them nearly doubled during Rendell’s eight years in office.

Corbett press secretary Kevin Harley says an asset test will be implemented in the coming months, but no decision has been made about how high the allowable level will be.

Rendell eliminated Pennsylvania’s food stamp asset test in 2008. About a quarter of states currently impose one.