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Durham commissioners urge state to fund SNAP as policy change looms
Summary
The Board adopted a resolution calling on the North Carolina General Assembly to fund the state share of SNAP costs, citing local economic and health benefits and an estimated $420 million annual state cost beginning FY 2027–28; staff and county officials urged residents to contact legislators.
The Durham County Board of Commissioners voted Aug. 25 to support a resolution urging the North Carolina General Assembly to fund the state share of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) after federal policy changes shift some costs to states.
Commissioner Steven Valentine read the resolution’s findings: SNAP serves about 13% of households in North Carolina, and as of July 2025 the state had about 1,357,112 SNAP participants. The resolution cites a North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services estimate that the policy change will cost the state roughly $420,000,000 annually beginning in fiscal year 2027–28. Commissioner Valentine moved the resolution; Vice Chair Doctor Lee seconded and the board approved it on a voice vote.
County food security coordinator Reina Goldstein Plinag, who spoke in support of the resolution, told the commissioners: "We detailed all the ways that SNAP helps our residents in Durham, with food security and health, but it also is so important to our real retailers, including our local farmers, our health care system." She and other staff urged county residents to contact state legislators to express support for funding. The resolution directs the county to share its position with the Durham delegation, NCACC lobbyist Kevin Leonard, the school board and city council.
