Louisiana political leaders are making ready to make use of round $150 million month-to-month in state funding to assist proceed meals help advantages whereas the federal authorities shutdown in Washington D.C. continues, Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, stated Friday.

“I imply, it’s a alternative between utilizing cash that we’ve got or individuals going hungry,” Henry stated in an interview. “That’s why we’ve got the fund balances that we’ve got.”

Gov. Jeff Landry issued an govt order Friday serving to the state to cowl the prices of meals help for many, however not all, of the individuals enrolled within the federal Supplemental Vitamin Help Program, or SNAP, for a brief time period. Legislators additionally plan to approve an “pressing request” that can permit state cash to be launched for this system subsequent week.

Landry’s order is extra restrictive than what Henry stated lawmakers are prepared to assist. It solely extends advantages to kids, aged and disabled individuals – however not different adults in this system – for a brief time period, from Nov. 1-4.

The legislators wish to protect SNAP advantages for everybody who’s already enrolled in this system for a number of months if obligatory, in response to the Senate President.

In Louisiana, 793,000 individuals obtain SNAP advantages that assist them buy meals each month. Landry’s govt order solely covers 565,000 of these individuals.

Henry stated it’s not clear but whether or not the state will have the ability to discover sufficient cash within the brief time period to keep away from a break in advantages for everybody who receives SNAP help, however that’s the purpose of the legislative leaders.

A precedence is to make sure seniors and other people with disabilities who’re enrolled in this system – and obtain their advantages on the primary of the month earlier than others – see no delay, he stated.

Louisiana will probably be paying for the meals help to proceed, even when the federal authorities doesn’t reimburse the state for its missed months of service. Henry stated it might require the state to dip into its financial savings accounts, and he added Republicans and Democrats have agreed they’re prepared to take action.

“We’re sending a transparent message that the individuals of Louisiana are the precedence,” stated Sen. Gerald Boudreaux, D-Lafayette, head of the Senate Democratic Caucus, agreeing with Henry.

The Home will vote on the pressing request Friday and the Senate will take it up on Wednesday, Henry stated.