Michigan lawmakers took a major step to blunt the impact of the federal shutdown on food assistance Oct. 30, with the Michigan Senate voting on a supplemental spending measure to provide emergency funding for those facing a looming pause in their benefits.
Senate Bill 182 would provide $50 million to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for emergency food assistance, prioritizing those facing the “greatest level of need.” The bill received bipartisan support in the Democratic-led chamber. It will next head to the GOP-led Michigan House for consideration. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s signature would be required to finalize the spending plan.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service recently directed the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to pause the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) starting in November, forcing food pantries to scramble to try to fill the gaps and state lawmakers to weigh action. Under the Michigan Senate plan, state funding could only be used if the federal food assistance funding expires. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is part of a multi-state lawsuit challenging the decision by President Donald Trump’s administration to withhold contingency funding for SNAP during the shutdown. Whitmer and Michigan lawmakers have also called on the White House to insulate SNAP during the spending showdown in Washington, D.C.
Michigan receives on average $260 million a month from the federal government for the nearly 1.4 million people in the state who receive SNAP benefits, according to State Budget Office Director of Communications Lauren Leeds.
Democrats in the Michigan House of Representatives have unveiled their own plan to provide supplemental state funding for SNAP. Their proposal would appropriate $600 million in state funding for SNAP benefits, according Tracy Wimmer, a spokesperson for the House Democratic Caucus. The funds would come from previously funded state projects that have lapsed.
With the timeline for ending the federal government shutdown unclear, House Democrats have also proposed additional funding for the Food Bank Council of America and food pantry programs, according to Wimmer.
More: Michigan House Democrats unveil plan to fund SNAP amid federal government shutdown
The legislation that passed the Michigan Senate would also appropriate $10 million to MDHHS to distribute surplus produce to low-income residents in the state and another $10 million for grants to food banks. Finally, the legislation would appropriate $1 million for the Double Up Food Bucks program for SNAP recipients that helps them buy more produce.
Meanwhile, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced in a news release Oct. 30, that State Budget Office Director Jennifer directed MDHHS to provide $4.5 million to the Food Bank Council of Michigan, a statewide organization that aims to relieve hunger. Whitmer Press Secretary Stacey LaRouche has not provided comment when asked whether the governor supports a supplemental spending measure to fund SNAP with state dollars during the federal government shutdown. Gideon D’Assandro, a spokesperson for House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, did not immediately respond to request for comment on a supplemental spending measure for SNAP.
Is the federal shutdown affecting you? We’d love to connect. Reach out at votervoices@freepress.com.
Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan lawmakers vote on emergency food assistance bill
