Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has declared a state of emergency to fund what is still known to many as food stamps, as the federal government shutdown continues. As Louisiana Public Radio and nonprofit Louisiana Illuminator report, due to the federal government shutdown holding up funds, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) does not have enough money to issue Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits next month. In all, SNAP provides food assistance to roughly 42 million people across the country.
In Louisiana, 793,000 people receive SNAP benefits, according to the Landry administration, which accounts for 17% of the state’s total population of 4.65 million. In his declaration, Gov. Landry asked the state legislature to authorize money from a state reserve fund to subsidize SNAP benefits from November 1-4; and only to children, the elderly and people with disabilities. The Louisiana state legislature — which is now in the midst of an unrelated special session – is voting on the governor’s request. The motion needs a two-thirds majority in the House and Senate to pass. The measure has passed the House unanimously and now goes to the Senate.
Arkansas
400,000 people in Arkansas, about 13% of the state’s population relied on SNAP benefits in 2023 according to USDA figures. The government agency also states that Arkansas’ rate of food insecurity of just under 19% is the highest in the country…