New York State Lawmakers Urge Governor Hochul to Cover SNAP Benefits with Surplus Funds
A group of New York state lawmakers from across the political spectrum are urging Governor Kathy Hochul to cover Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that were paused due to the federal government shutdown. The move comes after a court order was issued, requiring the federal government to pay the costs using contingency funds.
The SNAP benefits for nearly three million New Yorkers expired on Saturday, but a federal judge's ruling has temporarily lifted the pause. However, lawmakers are still pushing for Governor Hochul to cover the full cost of the benefits, estimated at $650 million per month. The state has already announced emergency grants to food banks and pantries, but it is not clear how much of the November benefits will be covered.
Several state lawmakers, including Republicans and Democrats, have signed letters to Governor Hochul urging her to take action. Some argue that the state should use its surplus funds to cover the costs, citing better-than-expected tax collections over the past few months. Others point fingers at Congress, saying that the Republican-led government is to blame for the crisis.
Governor Hochul has said that no state can backfill the federal program, but some lawmakers are pushing her to reconsider. State Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, a Democrat from Queens, has written a letter to Governor Hochul and other legislative leaders, urging them to use state reserve funds to cover the costs. She argues that there is enough money available to absorb the federal hit and pay for the benefits.
The debate over how to address the SNAP benefit crisis highlights the ongoing impasse between Democrats and Republicans in Congress. The two parties are at odds over a budget measure that would reopen the government and fund SNAP, as well as health insurance subsidies set to expire at the end of the year.
As the situation continues to unfold, lawmakers are emphasizing the importance of finding a solution to support low-income families who rely on the SNAP program for groceries. With the holiday season approaching, concerns are growing about how those affected will access food and other essential resources.
A group of New York state lawmakers from across the political spectrum are urging Governor Kathy Hochul to cover Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that were paused due to the federal government shutdown. The move comes after a court order was issued, requiring the federal government to pay the costs using contingency funds.
The SNAP benefits for nearly three million New Yorkers expired on Saturday, but a federal judge's ruling has temporarily lifted the pause. However, lawmakers are still pushing for Governor Hochul to cover the full cost of the benefits, estimated at $650 million per month. The state has already announced emergency grants to food banks and pantries, but it is not clear how much of the November benefits will be covered.
Several state lawmakers, including Republicans and Democrats, have signed letters to Governor Hochul urging her to take action. Some argue that the state should use its surplus funds to cover the costs, citing better-than-expected tax collections over the past few months. Others point fingers at Congress, saying that the Republican-led government is to blame for the crisis.
Governor Hochul has said that no state can backfill the federal program, but some lawmakers are pushing her to reconsider. State Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, a Democrat from Queens, has written a letter to Governor Hochul and other legislative leaders, urging them to use state reserve funds to cover the costs. She argues that there is enough money available to absorb the federal hit and pay for the benefits.
The debate over how to address the SNAP benefit crisis highlights the ongoing impasse between Democrats and Republicans in Congress. The two parties are at odds over a budget measure that would reopen the government and fund SNAP, as well as health insurance subsidies set to expire at the end of the year.
As the situation continues to unfold, lawmakers are emphasizing the importance of finding a solution to support low-income families who rely on the SNAP program for groceries. With the holiday season approaching, concerns are growing about how those affected will access food and other essential resources.
like what's gonna happen if they don't get their act together?? so many ppl counting on that snap program and now it's like nothing's working 
it's not like new york state doesn't have the money, we're talkin about a state with a huge surplus fund 
but for some reason no one wants to take ownership of this problem and start makin' moves 
maybe if they just worked together and stopped playin politics for once 
this is just crazy, like what's going on with our gov't? we got lawmakers from diff parties goin at it over funds for snap benefits... $650 million a month?!?! that's insane 
and what's the hold up with congress? can't they just figure out how to get their act together already? 
we gotta have people in power who actually care about the little guys, not just use SNAP as a political pawn 
and governor hochul is like "nope" on coverin it, but I bet she's got some contingency funds lyin around somewhere 
we need to make sure those low-income families don't get left high & dry during the holidays 
. We should be talking about how we can fix our broken system, not who gets to pay for what. This is exactly why we need more transparency and accountability from Congress! 
anyway i think its kinda crazy that gov Hochul is saying no one can backfill the federal program tho like what does that even mean? shouldn't the state just use their surplus funds to cover it or wut? my cousin who's a rep in Albany is all about using those reserve funds so we'll see what happens 
we shouldnt be debateing about how to cover these costs, we shud b like "hey, let's use some a dat surplus funds and get this done ASAP" 
not just politics 
that's just not right 