Lawton says state can’t fill SNAP gap

Alexia Aston

The Oklahoman USA TODAY NETWORK

Democrats want to use savings for assistance

As Oklahoma prepares to lose out on millions of dollars in monthly aid because of the federal government shutdown, a top Republican in the state House of Representatives says the state can’t afford to fill the financial gap.

House Majority Leader Mark Lawson said Thursday, Oct. 30, that Oklahoma cannot sustain funding for federal food assistance, “not to mention funding for our troops, air traffic controllers and other safety programs.”

State Democratic lawmakers have called for an immediate special session for the Legislature to consider using state savings to cover food assistance, which adds up to about $130 million every month. More than 684,600 Oklahomans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program, or SNAP, won’t receive benefits Nov. 1 as Congress continues to fail to resolve the federal budget impasse.

The impacts will extend beyond that program alone. On Thursday, the state welfare agency said it would

begin furloughs for 2,300 workers because of the shutdown.

Lawson pointed fingers at Democrats in Washington, DC. He blamed them for voting against an effort that would have funded the U.S. government until Nov. 21. Democrats’ main sticking point in the shutdown fight continues to center around extending subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.

“They need to do their job and vote to reopen the federal government,” said Lawson, of Sapulpa.

As of Thursday afternoon, Senate Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton had not responded to The Oklahoman’s request for comment on whether he’d support a special session.

Accessing the state’s $1 billion rainy day fund to supplement SNAP benefits would take two-thirds of the Legislature voting in support of the move. Republicans control the House and Senate by large majorities.

Officials in other states have found ways to fund the food assistance program for varying lengths of time. In Louisiana, Republican Gov. Jeff Landry said Wednesday his health department will fund the money to cover $147 million in benefits in November for the elderly, people with disabilities, and children, as reported by the Louisiana Illuminator.

In Virginia, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Wednesday his state would launch its first state-funded food aid program to replace SNAP benefits through at least November, as reported by Axios.

At a news conference on Wednesday, Oct. 29, Gov. Kevin Stitt didn’t fully rule out spending state money but said Oklahoma officials would first “beef up” other programs before resorting to spending state savings.

He added that there’s no guarantee the federal government would reimburse the state for dipping into its savings.

He ordered agency leaders earlier in October to look at every source of federal funding, identify “critical vulnerabilities” when that money goes away and suggest ways to minimize the impact of federal cuts. Agencies were instructed to get their reports back to Stitt by early this week.

Leaders of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services said Thursday that they would require some higher-paid workers to take furlough days to account for the federal funding gap.

Employees making $100,000 or more will have three furlough days per pay period. Those earning $50,000 up to $100,000 will have two furlough days, and workers earning less than $50,000 are exempt. The department did not provide further details.

“The furlough plan is structured to maximize limited resources while prioritizing the protection and engagement of frontline employees,” said the agency in an unsigned statement.

“Oklahoma Human Services exists to provide critical services to our most vulnerable neighbors. Unfortunately, the ongoing federal shutdown has significantly impacted our ability fulfill that mission without taking actions such as this.”

House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, a Democrat from Oklahoma City who is campaigning for governor, said food banks, churches and nonprofits cannot be expected to supplement everyone’s needs during crisis, urging for a special session.

“Governors across this country have managed to set up funding for food banks and EBT cards for their citizens — our governor could do the same,” she said in a statement on Wednesday, Oct. 29.