Latest news with #FeedingTexas
Axios
13-07-2025
- Business
- Axios
SNAP, Medicaid and tax deductions on the line in Senate bill
A Trump-backed spending plan could end health insurance coverage for millions of Americans and drastically cut funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP. Why it matters: President Trump has called the legislation a " big, beautiful bill" but Feeding Texas, which represents 20 food banks in the state, says the bill would enact the "most sweeping rollback" of SNAP in U.S. history. The big picture: The latest version of the bill, which narrowly passed the Senate this week, would slash food and health benefits for the poorest Americans, while giving tax cuts to higher earners. "It's a great bill. There is something for everyone," Trump said Tuesday. The upshot: The bill would temporarily increase the cap on state and local tax deductions for federal tax returns to roughly $40,000 annually. Around 12% of Texas properties are taxed over $10,000, the current deduction limit. Yes, but: The bill would also reduce nutrition funding, which includes SNAP, by $186 billion between 2025 and 2034. Nearly 12 million people are projected to lose health insurance under the bill's proposed Medicaid changes. The bill would also cut funding for energy and natural resources while allocating $175 billion for border security and $150 billion for defense. Zoom in: Texas may have to pay an additional $806 million annually on administrative costs and food benefits if the cuts are enacted, per Feeding Texas. "The consequences would be profound and devastating," Feeding Texas CEO Celia Cole said in a statement. Friction point: The bill has received intense opposition across party lines. What's next: The House and the Senate will need to agree on a unified bill to send to the president.
Newsweek
24-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Greg Abbott Vetoes Extra SNAP Benefits Over Trump Uncertainty
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Texas Governor Gregg Abbott has vetoed a state budget measure that would have allowed more than three million children to receive extra food benefits. Signing off on a two-year state budget this week, Abbott said that "significant uncertainty" over federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) means the state will not proceed with the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT) in 2025 — a federal program that provides additional benefits during the summer months. Newsweek contacted Abbott's office for comment via email outside of regular working hours. Governor Greg Abbott speaking in the Texas State Capitol in Austin in April. Governor Greg Abbott speaking in the Texas State Capitol in Austin in April. Brandon Bell Why It Matters Summer EBT, also known as SUN Bucks, is a program that provides $120 in food benefits to eligible children each summer in multiple states. Most of these children are in families who collect SNAP benefits, which are issued to low- and no-income households across the country to help them pay for groceries. According to Feeding Texas, a network of food banks that serves every Texas county, some 3.75 million children were expected to receive the Summer EBT. What To Know As it stands, states pay for half of the administrative costs of running the Summer EBT program, while the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) pays the other half. The USDA also covers the entire cost of benefits. But this funding model has been earmarked for change under a House Republican budget bill, which is currently being considered in the Senate. It could see states paying for a portion of SNAP benefits in order to reduce federal spending. "As the contingency portions of this rider detail, there is significant uncertainty regarding federal matching rates for this and other similar programs," Abbott wrote in the proclamation announcing the veto. "Once there is more clarity about the long-term fiscal ramifications for creating such a program, the Legislature can reconsider funding this item." Democratic Representatives Armando Walle and Toni Rose, along with No Kid Hungry Texas director Stacie Sanchez Hare, jointly said in a statement: "The reason given for the veto — uncertainty regarding the federal budget and the SNAP program — is unfounded. "Summer EBT matching funds are not tied to SNAP rates, and we have no reason to believe they are at risk." Summer EBT In total, 37 states are taking part in the SUN Bucks program this summer. It is not available in 2025 in Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wyoming. What People Are Saying Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas, said in a statement: "We are deeply disappointed by the decision to veto funding for the Summer EBT program in Texas. This program would have provided critical nutrition support to children during the summer months when school meals are unavailable and food insecurity often peaks. "We appreciate Governor Abbott's openness to reconsidering Summer EBT funding in the future. We stand ready to work with the governor and legislative leaders to find a path forward that ensures Texas children do not go hungry during the summer months." The Texas House Democratic Caucus said in a statement: "In a stunning display of misplaced priorities, Governor Abbott used his line-item veto power to eliminate just one Legislature-approved item from Texas' $338 billion state budget: a $60 million program to feed hungry Texas children during summer months." Christina Morales, a Texas Democratic Representative, said in a post on X, formerly Twitter: "Abbott just slammed the door on hungry Texas kids by vetoing summer lunch funding. This decision to hide behind federal uncertainty is morally bankrupt and shows he's completely out of touch with struggling families across our state." What Happens Next Abbott has confirmed that once there is more clarity regarding the funding of SNAP benefits, participation in the program can be reconsidered. Are you a SNAP recipient in Texas who could have received Summer EBT? How do you feel about Abbott's decision? Email
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tarrant Area Food Bank fights hunger amid historic SNAP cut proposals
The Brief The Tarrant Area Food Bank is partnering with local farmers for a summer market, providing fresh produce to the community. These efforts come as proposed federal cuts could reduce SNAP benefits by an estimated $300 billion through 2034, which would be the largest cut to the program in history. If adopted, the cuts would significantly increase demand on local food banks, which are already seeing high need. FORT WORTH, Texas - The Tarrant Area Food Bank started a summer partnership to provide access to fresh produce. Now more than ever, the food bank is concerned about proposed cuts to federal benefits and the possible impact on North Texans. Local perspective Several local growers are at the farmers' market with freshly grown produce. It's the Tarrant Area Food Bank's way of supporting these small farmers and providing healthy food to the community. It comes at a time when there could be major changes at the federal level as it applies to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program or SNAP benefits. The food bank earlier today hosted a virtual discussion about the congressional developments playing out. They pointed out that in the house-passed version of the current bill, it would reflect a $300 billion cut to the SNAP program through 2034. What they're saying The CEO of the Tarrant Area Food Bank, Julie Butner, believes the federal cuts to SNAP, if adopted, would make efforts like this farmers market and other food bank programs extremely crucial in meeting the needs of consumers and snap program recipients. "The federal reductions in SNAP benefits that have been proposed, and today are with the Senate, are quite concerning, because when these neighbors lose the SNAP benefit. If it is cut, then naturally they will be turning to the local food bank, the Tarrant Area Food Bank and our 500 partner agencies to fill the gap," said Butner. Feeding Texas is a statewide network of food banks leading a unified effort to end hunger in Texas. Feeding Texas' Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, Jami Olson, states this would be the largest cut to SNAP in history. "It represents a 30 percent cut to our nation's most important and effective anti-hunger program. If this bill is enacted it would represent the largest cut to SNAP in our nation's history," said Olson. What's next As of early June 2025, the federal cuts are still proposed cuts moving through the legislative process. The Source Information in this article was provided by the Tarrant Area Food Bank and Feeding Texas representatives.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
House budget proposal cuts SNAP, Medicaid in major rollback
TYLER, Texas (KETK) — The House has passed a budget proposal within the 'Big Beautiful Bill' that would cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid. This results in the largest rollback of food assistance in our nation's history, according to 'Feeding Texas'. Nacogdoches holds second annual Duck Derby fundraiser for county donations 'This represents a 30 percent cut to our nation's most important and effective anti-hunger program,' Vice President of Feeding Texas Jamie Olsen said. SNAP currently feeds 3 million Texans and cutting funding for this program would result in $300 billion lost in aid. 'Texas would be required to pay 1.8 billion dollars a year starting in 2028,' Olsen said. The estimated total of Texans at risk of losing all SNAP benefits is 392,000 and 806,000 are at risk of losing partial benefits. Additionally, the bill could leave one million Texans without health insurance, specifically putting elderly and pregnant women in rural areas at risk. 'We're urging Congress to ensure no one is forced to choose between food and other basic needs,' the East Texas Food Bank said. The Senate is projected to vote on the budget as early as June 16. Both chambers must conference and re-vote on a final bill before the August debt limit. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
14-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
Texas food banks say SNAP cuts would worsen hunger
Over 22% of Bexar County children live in food-insecure households, per new estimates first shared with Axios from Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks. Why it matters: Texas food banks are warning potential cuts or changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could exacerbate the hunger crisis across the state. At the same time, tariffs on imported foods could affect millions of Americans. How it works: Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap report is an annual effort to make local estimates about food insecurity among different groups, in part by using government data. The childhood food insecurity rate represents the share of children who live in food-insecure households, which lack or have uncertain access to adequate food. See more about the methodology here. By the numbers: The overall food insecurity rate in Bexar County is nearly 19%, and Black (31%) and Hispanic (26%) households are disproportionately affected. Zoom in: Feeding Texas, the state association of food banks, said Tuesday that proposed cuts to SNAP would require states to pay 75% of administrative costs, instead of 50%, "which would hobble the program's ability to meet increased need," per a news release. The association estimates the state would spend an extra $87 million per year on administrative costs if Congress approves that cut, adding that there's no guarantee Texas could make up the gap. What they're saying: "The proposed SNAP cuts are of an unprecedented scale that food banks could never compensate for," Theresa Mangapora, Brazos Valley Food Bank executive director and Feeding Texas board chair, said in a statement. "I worry that the only solution for us is just to ration, and that means give families less food," Eric Cooper, CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank, told KSAT. Zoom out: An estimated 14 million U.S. children overall live in food-insecure homes. That's about one out of every five kids. The rate tends to be higher in relatively poor, rural counties — but there are urban areas with high rates as well, like New York's Bronx County (33%). Hancock County, Georgia (47%), Perry County, Alabama (47%), and Holmes County, Mississippi (46%), had the highest estimated childhood food insecurity rates as of 2023, per Feeding America. The big picture: Childhood food insecurity is one piece of a broader hunger problem exacerbated by rising food costs. The total amount of money people in food-insecure U.S. households need to buy enough food rose from $28.5 billion in 2022 to $32.2 billion in 2023, up 8.4% when adjusted for inflation. What's next: As the school year nears its end, the perennial threat of "summer hunger" will be an issue for students who rely on school meals to get enough to eat.
