North Michigan News

State Representatives Ken Borton and John Roth have addressed recent measures taken by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer in response to the ongoing federal government shutdown, which has led to a halt in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Governor Whitmer announced that $4.5 million will be allocated through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to the Food Bank Council of Michigan. This funding aims to help food banks across all 83 counties provide assistance to those affected by the stoppage of federal aid.

“The federal shutdown is about to get way too personal for Michigan families,” said Borton, R-Gaylord. “People in our communities are about to lose benefits they rely on to feed their families. Kids will go to school hungry, parents will be forced to choose between rent and groceries, and food banks will be hit by an onslaught of desperate folks with nowhere else to turn. I’m grateful to the governor for building on bipartisan wins within the state budget and ensuring these families will have some additional resources to draw during this disastrous shutdown.”

Roth also emphasized the importance of supporting local food organizations during this period. “Michigan food banks will be a lifeline for families in need as SNAP benefits pause,” said Roth, R-Interlochen. “We have to ensure these organizations have every available resource to provide for the families most directly affected by the ineptitude at the federal level.”

Both lawmakers urged Congress to pass a continuation spending plan that would reopen the federal government and prevent people from facing difficult choices between basic needs such as food and energy.

“Both the federal government and our state government were barreling toward a shutdown just a few weeks ago; the difference is we did the work here in Michigan to avoid a stoppage in essential services,” Roth said. “Michigan Democrats and Republicans saw how devastating a shutdown would’ve been for our communities, passed a short-term spending plan to avoid that reality, and engaged in bipartisan negotiations to find a long-term plan that worked for everyone. Meanwhile, Congress has missed every opportunity to save people from the worst parts of a long-term shutdown.”

The recently passed bipartisan state budget includes several provisions designed as safeguards against disruptions in federal programs. Among them is $5 million allocated for Double Up Food Bucks, which matches SNAP purchases of fruits and vegetables, helping families stretch their benefits further during times when federal support is unavailable. The budget also sets aside $2.9 million for Michigan’s 2-1-1 program, connecting residents with resources like food banks and other forms of assistance.

“State programs are going to be all some families have left if the federal government doesn’t figure out this mess quickly,” Borton said. “I’m proud to have worked with both Republicans and Democrats to ensure state programs have the resources they need to address crises just like this. This is what government is supposed to look like, not whatever is happening with Congress right now.”

In addition, earlier this week, Michigan’s Fair Food Network took steps aimed at expanding access through its Double Up Food Bucks program for those losing SNAP benefits due to the shutdown. These temporary measures include removing expiration dates on unused benefits, ending daily spending limits, and allowing recipients greater flexibility such as purchasing frozen fruits and vegetables.