Contact: Rep. Greta Neubauer, 608-237-9166
MADISON, WI – Under the House Farm Bill, Wisconsin stands to lose $23.8 million in annual funding for need-based food assistance programs impacting 23,369 children across the state. The proposed bill would disproportionately impact Wisconsin children living in rural areas. Yesterday, a Legislative Fiscal Bureau memo was released, highlighting the impact this plan will have on Wisconsin children. In response, Representative Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) released the following statement:
“This proposed federal legislation will be devastating for our most vulnerable families,” Rep. Neubauer stated. “Wisconsin children will go hungry if this bill passes, all to give massive tax cuts to millionaires. The Republican Party has its priorities backwards – we need to lift up low-income families, not line millionaire pockets.”
A memo released today from the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau shows that the 2018 House Farm Bill (H.R. 2) would prevent states from offering broad-based categorical eligibility to families that do not receive cash assistance or ongoing TANF-funded services. It is estimated that this change will result in 8 percent of enrolled children losing eligibility for FoodShare and free and reduced price lunch at school.
“Food insecurity is a serious issue across our state, impacting families in both rural and urban communities,” said Rep. Neubauer. “Nearly 900 children in Racine County would lose SNAP benefits under the House Republicans’ plan. Wisconsin families are working hard, but too many in our communities live paycheck to paycheck and struggle to make ends meet. Instead of helping these hardworking families get ahead, Republicans are trying to make it harder for them to provide food for their children.”
Across the United States, food assistance recipients are predominately children, elderly, or disabled people — 76 percent of SNAP benefits go to households with children.
“Whether it’s Wisconsin or Washington, D.C., Republicans have made their position clear: Tax breaks for their large donors come ahead of the needs of Wisconsin children and families,” Rep. Neubauer concluded.
An interactive map of Wisconsin with county-based eligibility numbers is available at http://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/47/anderson/media/1123/snap2.html.
