State Budget Passed- Major Cuts to Come

2011 WA State Legislative Session Comes to a Close Eager to find a bi-partisan budget solution, state legislators came to an agreement and passed the 2011-2013 biennial budget officially ending the special session on it's final day. At around 10pm the $32.2 billion state operating budget reached the Governor's office. Here is how hunger-relief programs fared: • The State Food Assistance program became a high profile issue early on in the session. With so many people responding negatively to the elimination recommended by Governor Gregoire, lawmakers worked hard to get the program back to 50% funding. While this drastic cut will still have devastating effects for the individuals and families that rely on these benefits, funding at half is better than losing these benefits entirely. The program was cut by $30 million. • The WIC Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program provides benefits for women with infants and children to use to purchase food at their local farmer’s markets. This helps ensure that mothers and their children have access to nutritious foods and brings in federal dollars that our state cannot afford to lose. This program was saved from elimination but was cut by $420,000. The program will continue in the second year of the biennium with the $100,000 provided. • School Meals are sometimes the only meals that low income children eat throughout their day. Cutting funding for School Meals means cutting into the health of the next generation. Unfortunately school food services were cut by $6 million. However funds will be available to cover breakfast and K-3rd lunch copays (for those not quite qualified for free meals) as well as summer and breakfast grants and reimbursements. • Maternity Support Services, which has a physical connection to WIC as they are often offered in the same location, has been cut by $12 million. With a 50% reduction proposed by the Governor this 25% reduction is an improvement. • Strong funding will continue for the Department of Agriculture Emergency Food Assistance Program. This is an essential program that keeps the lights on and the shelves stocked at food banks and meal programs and we will continue to keep our lawmakers educated on the importance of these benefits. Take Action! While these cuts will have real impacts, there are victories to be recognized. Our lawmakers worked hard this session to pass a budget without eliminating many important hunger-relief programs. Please take a minute to send a thank you to your legislators for their hardwork. We will continue to educate them on the important role that these essential programs play in the lives of Washingtonians, and encourage them to restore the cuts in the future. CLICK HERE

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* Information provided by Food Lifeline