Alabama leaders react to SNAP changes

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Federal cuts are threatening the Supplemental Food Nutrition Assistance Program after President Donald Trump signed his rescissions bill into law.

Leaders disagree on whether or not Alabama can foot the bill following the changes.

“People are probably not aware that the average SNAP benefit in Alabama and all over the nation is about $6 per person per day,” said Carol Gundlach with Alabama Arise.

Gundlach said the state pays around $70 million in administrative costs for the assistance program. She said lawmakers will now have to find over $200 million by 2028 to cover the program.

“We also realize there are many unmet needs in the state that we also could be spending that money on what would also benefit the citizens of Alabama,” Gundlach said.

State Rep. Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, said there could be challenges, but the legislature is prepared to tackle them. He said increasing workforce participation is important to get people off their feet.

“I think there will be some growing pains that you’re going to see,” Butler said. “But as always, we’re up to the challenge, and we’ll face whatever challenges are there and come up with a plan.”

State Rep. Curtis Travis, D-Tuscaloosa, said he doesn’t know where the money will come from in the budget.

“I just see people hurting. I see children hurting. I see children hungry,” Travis said. “We just got to figure out how we’re gonna make sure those people’s needs are met because if not, we’re gonna suffer the consequences.”

State Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, who serves as budget chairman, said he will be holding budget hearings next month to discuss the changes with the Alabama Department of Human Resources.