CHARLESTON — West Virginia is facing a critical situation. The governor recently announced state funding to support the largest food banks in the state. This comes as the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is set to halt due to a government shutdown. The USDA has stated it will not access a $5 billion emergency fund to keep SNAP running into November.
Democratic lawmakers in the West Virginia House of Delegates are calling for more state funding to address this urgent need. They highlighted the legal obligations of the USDA to maintain SNAP benefits even during a shutdown, referring to it as an unprecedented situation since SNAP has never lapsed since its inception in 1964.
Some other states have declared emergencies or allocated funds for their SNAP programs. Unfortunately, in West Virginia, the electronic benefit transfer system isn’t set up to accept state funding for SNAP, making the situation more complicated.
Last week, Governor Patrick Morrisey expedited $1.1 million from the Legislature to assist the Mountaineer Food Bank and Facing Hunger Food Bank. On Tuesday, he announced plans to allocate up to $13 million from contingency funds, hoping to match public donations to reach a total of $26 million.
However, House Democrats criticized the governor for not tapping into his available civil contingency funds sooner and for not calling a special session to address the crisis. House Minority Leader Sean Hornbuckle emphasized the urgency, stating it costs $1.5 million daily to feed families in need.
This situation has garnered attention on social media, with many residents expressing their concerns and frustrations. User reactions vary from supportive of the food banks to critical of political decisions that may hinder immediate relief efforts.
Meanwhile, the governor’s press conferences have aimed to clarify the state’s actions, emphasizing efforts to maximize funds for residents in need. The tension between political narratives and practical solutions will likely continue as the shutdown unfolds.
For the latest updates on similar issues, the USDA and local news sources like the [West Virginia Legislative Photography](https://ogden_images.s3.amazonaws.com) provide reliable information.
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Local News,House Democrats call on Morrisey to provide more funding to food banks as SNAP benefits stop SaturdayNews,House Democrats call on Morrisey to provide more funding to food banks as SNAP benefits stop Saturday
