“It is long overdue for the Governor to act and help the nearly 700,000 Oklahomans—most of them children, veterans, and seniors—as they prepare to lose SNAP benefits in three days. Food banks, churches, and nonprofits are stretched thin on a normal day. We cannot expect them to supplement everyone’s needs during the crisis that is the longest government shutdown. I am thankful for our food banks pledging to double their efforts, but we know that still won’t be enough.
“The Legislature needs to convene for a Special Session to allocate state funds to the places doing real work to meet the needs of hungry Oklahomans. 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. Standing in front of an organization doing the work and asking for assistance while providing no real solutions is offensive. There are solutions that we can enact if we come together. I will put forth every effort to make sure that happens. This need will only grow if state and federal officials continue to place blame instead of act.” –House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City
“We cannot allow children to starve or be traumatized trying to find their next meal. The federal government must find a solution and end the worry and confusion of the many Oklahoma families who rely on SNAP for their groceries. We cannot expect charity to fill this huge public safety gap. We have an obligation to protect children. The solutions offered by the governor today are inadequate. He needs to call the legislature into a special session to work on real and immediate solutions.”–Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City
Get Local News!
