The Judiciary and Legislation Committee voted to support a city resolution backing LRB 5098, a state bill that would permit Wisconsin to provide supplemental funding for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program if federal WIC payments are interrupted by a federal government shutdown.

A legislative presenter described the bill to the committee and said the state Department of Health Services indicated WIC likely has funding through November but that SNAP benefits “are potentially running out or will be running out of funding as of November 1.” The presenter told the committee, “This is an essential thing for people of our community, and that if there’s an opportunity to, plug some gaps with state funding that we take that.”

Committee action

A committee member moved to support the resolution and the motion was approved without recorded roll-call opposition. The committee discussion included clarification that free and reduced-price school meals would not be affected by a SNAP cutoff, and members discussed partnering with Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) and food banks if federal benefits are interrupted.

What members said

On the relationship between SNAP and school meal programs, a committee member asked, “If SNAP benefits are cut, does it also affect free and reduced lunch?” A legislative presenter replied, “No. Our understanding is that MPS will still be able to provide food for their students.” The presenter added MPS and community food banks may be key partners if federal benefits lapse.

Outlook

The presenter and members acknowledged that the bill’s passage in the current state legislative session was uncertain; they cited comments by the state Senate leader that the matter might be considered a federal responsibility. Still, the committee said it wanted to register the city’s policy position in support of backstopping food assistance if federal funding is interrupted.