State Government

Chair of House Ways and Means predicts State to fund 100% of food, fuel benefits for 15 days amid Federal shutdown

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By Guy Page

Calling the federal shutdown “a real break from precedent and federal law,” Rep. Emily Kornheiser, chair of House Ways and Means, this morning predicted the State will pay 100% of food and fuel benefits for at least 15 days if the shutdown continues after November 1.

Speaking to a press gaggle this in the House Speaker’s office, Kornheiser said paying these benefits will cost $12 million a month. The $6 million needed for 15 days will come out of a reserve fund.

Kornheiser said she’s confident the State Emergency Board, including Gov. Scott, will confirm the 100% payments. A reporter said the governor had floated paying 50%, but Kornheiser said she believes he’s on board with 100%.

House Human Services Chair Theresa Wood said her committee will meet tomorrow to discuss details of the state payments. 

VDC asked whether her committee would consider banning junk food purchases with the EBT card, to stretch state dollars. 

“We don’t have any plans to extend that at this time,” Wood said.

Krowinski Chief of Staff Conor Kennedy said the speaker met with farmers yesterday who are concerned about recipients losing access to farm food. 

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Categories: State Government

16 replies »

  1. What reserve fund???? Waiting for the comments from the key board thumpers that must be still sleeping. Comment from Richard Day.

  4. So no payments on time? We might get 50% or a 100%. They need to wrangle out the strings attached then they will send the food money out. … Is that what I am hearing?
    Going to be a lot of hurting people in Vermont before this hostage situation is solved.
    God rebuke them that play with people’s lives.

  5. Looks like some people will be eating crow for Thanksgiving. Comment from Richard Day. Lot of wild turkeys out there if you can afford the ammo.

  6. Sue Chuck Schumer or go to his place to eat raw hamburgers with a slice of cheese on top. Yum yum

  8. Note the Democratic/progressive state legislators here make no mention that it’s THEIR party keeping the government shut down!

    • Of course, and her Party is up to their old tricks, Republican Senator Josh Holly introduced a Bill to only fund SNAP program this week, which was voted down by Democrats. Yesterday Democrats said they are introducing the same Bill written under their names for a vote today or tomorrow, so Dems can brag THEY saved SNAP

  9. Exactly! How can more than 100% of Republicans vote on the Bill, Democrats may be able to get more than 100% of vote in booth, but if 100% of GOP Senators have voted to reopen, plus a couple of Democrats, it is definitely a Democrat Schumer Shutdown

  10. 100% funded for 15 days, so in other words 50% of a recipient’s benefit…
    It is the right thing to do.

    • Hi Richard – it is my understanding (and I think I need to shuss this out) that the funding is for 100% of benefit, paid thru the first 15 days, and then after 15 days they will revisit, if necessary. Thought that’s what I heard Emily Kornheiser and others say.

  11. In light of this food shortage without SNAP benefits, I googled “Vermont foodbank”. I learned that the Federal government cut back on funding USDA deliveries to food banks and food shelves across the country back in April. Is there a more nefarious story developing here?

  12. Yesterday cnbc exposed the LYING vt senator pete welch as a double-talking tap-dancing puppet of the dem party.

    • We in Vermont really only have one Senator, Bernie Sanders, Welch does whatever Bernie demands