Before the federal government’s announcement, Nevada Democrats prepared for a possible funding gap in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
State Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro, D-Clark County, called for a $136 million SNAP package to be considered during a special legislative session. This move aims to circumvent the impact of the federal government’s longest-ever shutdown.
“My colleagues are introducing a proposal to establish a state-funded assistance program during the upcoming special session,” Cannizzaro said at a press conference on Friday.
Cannizzaro highlighted that over 500,000 Nevadans currently use SNAP benefits, with more than 62% of them living in families with children. She assured that beneficiaries “are going to be able to use the same cards that they do currently. We are confident that we will structure this program in a way that is both legal and efficient.”
The remarks came 38 days into the federal government shutdown, which has been marked by a bitter stalemate between Democratic and Republican U.S. senators. Numerous federal programs have shut down as reserve funds have dried up.
Additionally, Cannizzaro’s announcement followed a federal court order requiring the Trump administration to fund the full SNAP budget. Previously, the federal government had planned to fund only half of SNAP using reserve funds designated for shutdown scenarios.
However, the Trump administration appealed the U.S. District Court for Rhode Island’s order on Friday. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit in Boston denied a request for an administrative stay, and the administration stated it would comply with the court order to fully fund SNAP while pursuing its appeal.
According to media reports, the Department of Justice is seeking a stay from the U.S. Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, Nevada Senate Democrats’ plan to propose local SNAP funding is expected to face opposition from Republican Governor Joe Lombardo, who has not yet publicly responded directly to Cannizzaro’s proposal. Lombardo previously expressed opposition to local funding of the SNAP program.
“The governor remains committed to finding a solution to source SNAP beneficiaries, and other Nevadans impacted by the federal shutdown, to the extent allowable under state and federal law,” Josh Meny, press secretary for the Governor’s Office, told The Center Square.
The Nevada Legislature is not scheduled to meet again for a regular session until 2027. To pass the SNAP funding proposal immediately, the Legislature would need to be called into a special session, which only Governor Lombardo has the authority to convene. Additionally, he would set the session’s agenda.
According to the Nevada Constitution, “Legislature shall not introduce, consider or pass any bills except those related to the business for which the Legislature has been specially convened and those necessary to provide for the expenses of the session.”
Nevada Senate Democrats first proposed the local SNAP funding solution on Tuesday after President Donald Trump indicated that the federal government would only fund half of the SNAP budget.
The Democrats’ proposal includes allocating $45.5 million to cover the remaining half of the SNAP recipients for November, and an additional $91 million for December if the government shutdown continues.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/3880309/nevada-dems-plan-snap-workaround-funding-gap/