Nebraska's Republican Governor, Jim Pillen, has reaffirmed his refusal to accept $18 million in federal funding for the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children (Summer EBT) program. The program aims to provide assistance to children who may go hungry during the summer months when school is out. Despite advocates for children and low-income families urging Pillen to reconsider, he stated in a written statement that Nebraska will not participate in the program.

The Summer EBT program, established as part of COVID-19 pandemic relief efforts, would distribute pre-loaded EBT cards to eligible families whose children receive free and reduced-price lunches at school. These families would receive $40 per eligible child per month to purchase groceries, similar to SNAP benefits. However, Pillen argues that the pandemic is over and that government relief programs associated with it should end as well.

Governor Pillen initially announced Nebraska's withdrawal from the program on December 19, drawing criticism from various quarters. During a subsequent news conference, Pillen faced backlash after defending his stance by proclaiming, "I don't believe in welfare." The decision not to participate mirrors neighboring Iowa's stance, announced by Republican Governor Kim Reynolds last week, who argued that an EBT card does not promote nutrition in the face of childhood obesity.

The federal program requires participating states to cover 50% of the administrative costs, estimated at $300,000 for Nebraska. Supporters of the Summer EBT program underline that the administrative cost is minimal compared to the estimated $18 million benefit. The U.S. Department of Agriculture projects that approximately 175,000 children in Nebraska would benefit from the program, addressing hunger concerns during the summer months.

Advocacy group Nebraska Appleseed delivered a petition with over 6,100 signatures from 230 communities across the state, urging Nebraska to utilize the federal Summer EBT program. Signatories expressed the dire need for such assistance, especially given rising inflation that has outpaced household incomes.

Some families highlighted their struggles, with one single mother from the rural town of Bruno expressing, "Everything is expensive… The extra money for food would free up money for things like bills and savings, and car maintenance." Critics argue that not all families have access to on-site programs like the Summer Food Service Program, particularly in remote areas of Nebraska where sites can be located miles away from struggling families.

Governor Pillen maintained that the state would continue to support food-insecure children through the Summer Food Service Program, which offers meals and snacks at various locations when school is not in session. Pillen emphasized that the on-site services allow for the detection and reporting of issues like malnutrition, neglect, and child abuse.

However, critics contend that the lack of accessibility to on-site programs remains a concern, particularly in Nebraska's vast rural stretches. Jenni Benson, president of the Nebraska State Education Association, the state's largest teachers union, expressed, "No kid ever said, 'I want to be born into a family that struggles.' Why would we even question that people and children deserve food?"

Longtime community advocate Preston Love Jr. from Omaha raised doubts about Governor Pillen's rejection of federal funding, suggesting that political pressure may be influencing the decision. Love emphasized Pillen's previous compassionate conversations, stating, "This is out of character. So, obviously, he's not following his heart. He's following his politics. He's falling victim to political posturing, and there's no excuse for that when it comes to children."

As the January 1 deadline to sign up for the program approaches, the debate continues, with stakeholders urging Governor Pillen to reconsider and prioritize the nutritional needs of vulnerable children throughout the state.