21-05-2025
USDA secretary speaks about Nebraska changing food stamp guidelines
LINCOLN, Neb. (KCAU) — On Tuesday, the US Department of Agriculture spoke out about Nebraska's waiver to ban soda and energy drinks from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Secretary Brooke Rollins said she wants the states to be innovative when it comes to food stamps. On Monday, Nebraska became the first state to get a federal waiver to ban those drinks under food stamps.
The state's ban begins on January 1 and is set to impact about 152,000 low-income people in Nebraska enrolled in SNAP.
'We should not be spending taxpayer dollars for lower income Americans on sugary drinks. That, if the taxpayers are going to fund a nutritional program, a Supplemental Nutritional Program, SNAP. That in fact, it should be healthy, nutritious foods to really focus on those at the lower end of the socioeconomic ladder,' said Rollins.
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Six states, including Iowa, have also submitted requests for waivers that ban particular foods and drinks or expand access to hot foods. Rollins said Governor Reynolds submitted a 'great plan,'adding more announcements on the waivers are coming.
Also, a Nebraska bill to impose a sales tax on soft drinks and candy failed in the first round of voting. Lawmakers voted 30 to 15, and the measure needed 33 to pass. The legislation is not expected to be discussed again in this legislative session. The bill would have placed a 5.5% state sales and use tax on almost two dozen currently exempt services.
The measure would have funded an additional $100 million in property tax relief a year under the school district property tax relief act.
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