LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — The Michigan Senate handed a supplemental appropriations invoice Thursday that would supply hundreds of thousands in emergency funding to cowl the halt of federal SNAP funds throughout the federal government shutdown. The U.S. Division of Agriculture (USDA) stated the funds will pause Nov. 1.
Senate Invoice 182 handed 27-4 and would supply $71 million to fund this system. The 4 who voted ‘no’ have been Sens. John Bellino (R-Monroe), Dan Lauwers (R-Brockway Township), Aric Nesbitt (R-Lawton) and Jim Runestad (R-White Lake), none of which defined their votes.
“This fund is a stopgap measure, a lifeline for families facing uncertainty,” stated Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) in a speech on the ground of the Senate.
Beneath the invoice, $50 million could be offered to the Division of Well being and Human Providers for emergency meals help. One other $10 million would go in the direction of the state’s agricultural surplus system. A further $10 million would go to emergency meals financial institution grants. $1 million would broaden the Double Up Meals Bucks program.
Sen. Jonathan Lindsey (R-Bronson) stated he’ll vote “yes” for the invoice, however famous that it wouldn’t take impact earlier than the Nov. 1 deadline. “This is all political theater,” he stated. “The bill before us cannot be passed in time to help.”
Michigan Home Democrats are anticipated to introduce their very own proposal, which might distribute $600 million, meant to cowl two months of misplaced advantages. Neither plan has a lot of an opportunity of gaining help within the GOP-led Home.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s workplace introduced the state will present $4.5 million to the Meals Financial institution Council of Michigan.
“Hungry families cannot wait for the folks in power in Washington, DC to do their jobs,” Whitmer stated in a press release. “Today, in light of the USDA’s decision to freeze SNAP, the State of Michigan is taking action to support the Food Bank Council of Michigan so they can continue feeding families in all 83 counties and deliver food to those who are unable to drive. We take care of each other in Michigan, and we will continue bringing together public and private philanthropic resources to feed people as we hit day 30 of the federal government shutdown and approach the November 1 pause of SNAP. We will continue to do what we can in Michigan to help impacted families.”
Whereas MDHHS is the state division chargeable for distributing these funds to eligible Michigan residents, the supply of the cash is a federal program from the USDA.
