Texas is passing up nearly $350 million in federal aid to help feed millions of low-income children during the summer months after a state agency said it lacked the time and resources to implement the program this year.
Summer EBT, a new U.S. Department of Agriculture program approved by Congress in 2022, will provide families in participating states with funds to buy groceries to fill the void when their children are not receiving meals at school. The benefits — $40 per eligible child per month — will be dispensed via “electronic benefit transfer” cards, similar to a prepaid debit card, for three months.
The majority of states, as well as several territories and tribal nations, have signed onto the program. Texas is among a minority of 16 states not participating.
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USDA spokesperson Allan Rodriguez pushed back on Texas health officials’ reasoning, saying the agency provided an “unprecedented level of guidance and support” to states in the months leading up to the rollout.
“The fact that 44 states, territories and tribes are moving forward in the program’s inaugural year shows that states have had the information they needed,” Rodriguez said. “Those that do not launch the program this summer will have future opportunities to opt-in, and we will keep working with every state and tribe to set them up for success in doing so.”
They need the money for more important things like children. Tax breaks for rich party donors, for example. Hungry children do not donate money to the Republican parties and their PACs.
Don’t forget money for prosecuting woman for miscarriages, or crossing state lines for abortions. Those lawyers aren’t going to fash for free, yanno.
Also threatening hospital workers in other states with prosecution if they don’t provide patient info (likely in violation of HIPAA).