TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Governor Ron DeSantis said he will not declare a state of emergency to address food insecurity as nearly 3 million Floridians who rely on SNAP benefits are expected to miss their November 1 payments due to the government shutdown.
All 43 Democratic members of the state legislature sent DeSantis a letter urging him to declare a state of emergency on food insecurity to help residents facing delays in receiving their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. This would allow the state to make up the difference.
During a news conference in Tampa, DeSantis dismissed the request and criticized Democratic lawmakers for not addressing what he sees as the root cause of the problem.
“Did those Democrats write a letter to Chuck Schumer asking him to stop filibustering the spending? Come on,” DeSantis said.
The Florida Department of Children and Families said families will still receive their November benefits once the government reopens.
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