The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) is praising the passage of two bills in the Wisconsin Legislature.
Assembly Bill 180 will allocate $69 million to help the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as FoodShare in Wisconsin.
WCMA Senior Director of Programs Rebekah Sweeney says the funding responds to recent federal policy changes that shift 75% of SNAP administrative costs to states, starting on October 1st.
Without the legislative move, Sweeney says Wisconsin could face federal penalties exceeding $200 million a year. Sweeney continued saying, “Spending tens of millions now to avoid losing up to hundreds of millions of dollars later – and to protect more than $1 billion in annual federal food purchasing power – is fiscal responsibility. It protects taxpayers, families, farmers, and food manufacturers across Wisconsin.”
Assembly Bill 180 also limits the use of FoodShare dollars for the purchase of soda and candy.
The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association is also pleased with the passing of Assembly Bill 131, which unlocks $130 million in PFAS remediation funding.
Sweeney says the assembly-approved language appropriately exempts farms and food processing facilities from PFAS liability when wastewater is managed in compliance with applicable permits.
