Hobbs vetoes legislation to exempt soda from SNAP benefits – Washington Examiner
arizona Governor Katie hobbs has vetoed legislation proposed by the Republican-controlled state legislature that aimed to exempt soda from the list of items eligible for purchase under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). the bill sought to request a waiver from the Department of Agriculture to prevent SNAP recipients from buying soda with their benefits. Governor Hobbs, who has personal experience with food stamps, argued that the legislation woudl unfairly restrict purchasing power for low-income individuals and called for more constructive efforts to promote access to nutritious foods instead. While some states, including Arkansas and Indiana, have enacted similar laws to limit soda purchases under SNAP, Hobbs emphasizes the need for broader food options rather than singling out soda.
Arizona governor vetoes legislation to exempt soda from SNAP benefits
Gov. Katie Hobbs (D-AZ) vetoed a bill Tuesday that would have removed soda from the list of items eligible for purchase under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
The bill from the Republican-controlled Arizona state legislature would have requested a waiver from the Department of Agriculture to exclude soda from SNAP, prohibiting recipients from purchasing soda products with their benefits.
Hobbs, who said she once received food stamps, said state lawmakers should focus on “more productive efforts to expand opportunities for participants to purchase fresh foods.”
“This legislation unnecessarily deprives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants of their purchasing power and relegates them to a new underclass of grocery shoppers,” Hobbs said.
In March, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the Trump administration would allow states to stop covering unhealthy foods and beverages, including soft drinks, under SNAP. Removing soda from the list of foods eligible to buy on food stamps and eliminating artificial dyes from food are pillars of the “Make America Healthy Again” movement.
In Arizona, the push for the waiver became partisan, with Republicans supporting it and Democrats united in opposition.
“I think we can all agree that soda has zero nutritional value. I would make this everything from candy to chips to you name it, but I understand that you have to start somewhere,” Republican state Rep. Leo Biasiucci said.
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Hobbs did sign into law a measure banning artificial dye and other additives from food served in the state’s public schools. Red Dye No. 40, titanium dioxide, potassium bromate, and other food dyes will be banned.
Gov. Laura Kelly (D-KS) vetoed similar legislation removing soda from SNAP eligibility in Kansas last week. Arkansas and Indiana have both signed measures into law that exempt soda from SNAP benefits.
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