The Wyoming Freedom Caucus reached a new low in Cheyenne this week by denying children food over the summer months.
Led by the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, Wyoming elected officials have again declined an opportunity to participate in a federal program to assist income-qualified children with summer food needs.
The House of Representatives on Monday defeated House Bill 341, “Summer nutrition assistance for children,” by a 25-34 vote. The bill would have directed state participation in the USDA Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer, commonly known as SUN Bucks, and established duties for state agencies to administer it.
In spite of the support of Wyoming's First Lady, Jennie Gordon and the Wyoming Hunger Imitative, Wyoming children will face a summer filled with food insecurity.
“I have serious concerns with food insecurity and the systems that support our neighbors in need,” Gordon said. “In Wyoming we call our children our most important and precious resource. Supporting them with nutrition is imperative for growing minds and bodies.”
Statewide, more than 35,000 kids — or 42% of students — are enrolled in free or reduced meals, she said, showing a significant need. While there are summer food programs, they can be out of reach for kids who live in rural areas and don’t exist everywhere.
The program would have brought $3.8 million of federal benefit directly to local communities and multiple temporary jobs, according to Department of Family Services Director Korin Schmidt.
The question still remains. When will Wyoming stop returning our federal taxes back to the government. This irresponsible practice does not give Wyoming people a tax refund. Our federal taxes are simply diverted to other states, while Wyoming's most vulnerable go without
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