Michigan lawmakers weigh intervening as food assistance cutoff looms

DemocratswhocontrolthestateSenatesaidWednesdaytheyareexploringthepossibilityofinterveningandattemptingtopreventabout1.4millionMichiganresidentsfromlosingaccesstofoodaid,beginningthisweekend,amidthefederalgovernmentshutdown. Butthelawmakers’efforts,whichcouldincludeallocatingabout$250milliontofundSupplementalNutritionAssistanceProgrambenefitsinthestateforamonth,faceadifficultanduncertainroadinthenarrowlydividedLegislature. It’sunclearwhethertherewouldbeenoughvotestopassabillintheDemocratic-controlledSenate.Plus,RepublicanshaveamajorityoftheseatsintheHouse,whichwouldalsohavetosupportsuchameasureforittobecomelaw. OnWednesday,stateSen.KevinHertel,D-St.ClairShores,saidhewouldsupportfindingawaytokeepSNAPaidgoinginMichiganandhelpfoodbanksmeettheneedthattheloominglossoffoodassistanceisalreadycreating. “Wehavetodoeverythingwecantohelp,”Hertelsaid