North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has publicly opposed proposed federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), stating that such reductions would force the state to make difficult budget decisions that could result in North Carolinians losing access to essential services or facing food insecurity. In a statement on his official website, Stein underscored the importance of SNAP in helping 1.4 million residents, saying, “SNAP helps 1.4 million North Carolinians put food on the table. Congress’s proposed cuts are unprecedented and would make North Carolina pay up to $700 million to continue current benefits, all so that the wealthiest Americans can receive even bigger tax cuts. If Congress goes forward with these plans, our state will be forced into perilous budget decisions – should North Carolinians lose access to food, or should we get rid of other essential services?” according to a statement from the Governor's Office.
Historically, the federal government has shouldered the cost for SNAP participants, but the recent congressional proposal marks a shift in this paradigm, pushing the financial burden onto states for the first time this comprehensive program's history has functioned, translating to an equivalent financial strain of losing roughly 8,900 K-12 public school teacher positions in North Carolina. Particularly vulnerable demographics within the SNAP recipient group in the state include families with children, seniors, or adults with disabilities. Moreover, every dollar extended in SNAP benefits not only aids these households in affording groceries, but it also allows them to allocate funds to other indispensable living expenses like rent and utilities.
It is also noteworthy that SNAP is a significant economic driver in North Carolina, contributing approximately $2.8 billion to the local economy and demonstrating a multiplier effect, where each dollar of SNAP investment yields between $1.50 and $1.80 in local economic activity. The proposed cuts could therefore lessen consumer spending at the more than 9,200 SNAP retailers across the state, potentially harming the livelihoods of farmers and those involved in the wider food distribution network, particularly in rural regions and smaller towns.
In light of the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, SNAP has especially been a lifeline for western North Carolinians, supporting those who are still recovering from the storm's impact; the area saw a surge in SNAP applications post-disaster, marking the highest number since Hurricane Florence in 2018, "SNAP is playing a vital role in supporting western North Carolinians impacted by Hurricane Helene. The 25 western NC counties most impacted by Helene still have higher enrollment in SNAP in April 2025 than they did in September 2024 before the storm hit," as detailed by the Governor's Office, immediately after the storm, SNAP received 169,000 applications – the highest number of applications since Hurricane Florence in 2018.
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