Today, Governor Josh Stein addressed concerns regarding proposed federal reductions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In his statement, Stein highlighted the potential impact of these cuts on North Carolina.
“SNAP helps 1.4 million North Carolinians put food on the table,” he stated. “Congress’s proposed cuts are unprecedented and would make North Carolina pay up to $700 million to continue current benefits, all so that the wealthiest Americans can receive even bigger tax cuts. If Congress goes forward with these plans, our state will be forced into perilous budget decisions – should North Carolinians lose access to food, or should we get rid of other essential services? I urge our members of Congress to reject this budget proposal so that North Carolina families don’t go hungry.”
Currently, SNAP benefits are fully funded by the federal government. The new proposal suggests shifting these costs onto states for the first time in history. For North Carolina, covering $700 million in SNAP benefits would equate to eliminating 8,900 K-12 public school teacher positions.
Stein noted that four out of five families receiving SNAP assistance in North Carolina include a child, senior citizen, or an adult with a disability. He emphasized that each dollar spent on groceries through SNAP allows households to allocate resources toward other essentials like rent and utilities.
The program significantly impacts the state’s economy by contributing nearly $2.8 billion annually and generating between $1.50 and $1.80 for every dollar invested in local economies. Cuts could reduce spending at over 9,200 SNAP retailers statewide and negatively affect farmers and local economies.
Additionally, SNAP is crucial for western North Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene. Enrollment remains high following the storm’s impact last year when applications peaked at 169,000 immediately after its occurrence—the highest since Hurricane Florence in 2018.
Governor Stein recently communicated with Congress about these implications through a formal letter.
