New Mexico lawmakers learn about the potential impact of federal funding cuts to SNAP
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Amid uncertainty on how federal funding cuts will impact Americans, New Mexico lawmakers are learning of the potential impact on New Mexicans and their SNAP benefits.
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In a hearing on Wednesday, a newly formed interim committee focused on federal funding, New Mexico lawmakers were briefed on how the funding cuts could impact the state.
According to state analysts, right now, the federal government pays 100% of the SNAP benefits to hundreds of thousands of New Mexicans. Proposed changes would have the state pay anywhere from 5-25% of that cost, based on the state's payment error rate. 'Sometimes we do overpayments, sometimes we do underpayments to SNAP recipients,' said an LFC analyst, explaining the error rate.
New Mexico's error rate is about 14%, which would mean the state would have to pay at least $490 million in benefits alone.
'If this goes forward, we've got to figure out what that solution is before it goes forward so we're not stuck with that bill,' said Rep. Mark Duncan, (R-San Juan County).
Also drawing concern, the proposed change to eliminate funding for the SNAP education program. 'A lot of preventative care goes into these programs…and I'm really really concerned as to these going away, more people are going to be subjected to unhealthy food,' said. Rep. Raymundo Lara, (D-Doña Ana County).
Another proposed change would change the definition of a dependent child from under 18 years old to under seven years old. 'I want to what whoever's listening to realize this is going to impact real New Mexicans to real people, to people who really depend on it and need it,' said Rep. Lara.
The state analysts said they are still working on details of just how many people will be impacted if these changes go through. On Thursday, lawmakers will get a briefing on how federal funding cuts will impact the state's public education. That presentation is set to start at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday.
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