For the primary time for the reason that program’s creation, Texas households had been on observe to begin receiving federal {dollars} aimed toward feeding school-aged kids whereas they’re dwelling over the summer time.
Although lawmakers from each events discovered uncommon settlement on the difficulty this legislative session, their plans had been reversed this week as Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed the $60 million they’d budgeted to make it occur.
The Summer time Digital Advantages Switch (EBT) program would have supplied low earnings households with $120 per baby, distributed on debit playing cards like these used to entry meals stamp advantages.
That’s along with precise meals and snacks that many Bexar County college districts distribute to college students throughout the summers, via one other federal program referred to as Summer time Meals.
Texas would have been one of many greatest beneficiaries of the Summer time EBT program, and roughly $28 million would have gone to Bexar County households in its first yr, based on a Texas Tribune evaluation.
The state’s $60 million contribution was anticipated to cowl a portion of the brand new Summer time EBT program’s administrative charges — unlocking roughly $400 million in federal funding beginning in 2027.
As Abbott signed the state’s total $338 billion price range on Sunday, nevertheless, he mentioned it didn’t make sense to begin the summer time lunch program when it wasn’t clear how a lot federal cash would truly be out there.
Summer time EBT is a holdover from the Biden period, and the Trump administration has signaled plans for large cuts to the broader Supplemental Vitamin Help Program, or SNAP.
“There’s important uncertainty concerning federal matching charges for this and different related applications,” Abbott mentioned in a line-item veto proclamation. “As soon as there’s extra readability concerning the long-term fiscal ramifications for creating such a program, the Legislature can rethink funding this merchandise.”
Texas Democrats responded incredulously.
“The one factor he couldn’t abdomen funding was the Summer time EBT program that will have supplied meals help to youngsters once they lose entry to highschool meals,” the Texas Home Democratic Caucus mentioned in a press release.
Texas had already missed the deadline to use for the federal funds this yr earlier than the session had even began. A Democrat from Houston, state Rep. Armando Walle, led a campaign to get lawmakers from each chambers on board with budgeting the cash for the longer term.
State Rep. Diego Bernal (D-San Antonio) mentioned vetoing the cash beneath the guise of federal uncertainty was disingenuous for a state that’s lengthy resisted spending cash on feeding, sheltering or offering well being care to its most weak residents.
“It’s about demonstrating power, energy and management via cruelty,” he mentioned.
San Antonio ISD spokeswoman Laura Brief mentioned Monday that the state’s determination wouldn’t influence SAISD’s participation within the Seamless Summer time Possibility Meal Program, which feeds kids breakfast and lunch meals.
Reporter Xochilt Garcia contributed to this story.
