Derek Merrin: Ohio Association Of Foodbanks Executive Director: The One Big Beautiful Bill Would Fundamentally Change “The Basic Food Assistance That We’ve Promised To All Of Our Citizens”

Ohio Association Of Foodbanks Executive Director Joree Novotny: The One Big Beautiful Bill Would Fundamentally Change “The Basic Food Assistance That We’ve Promised To All Of Our Citizens.” “The U.S. Senate has passed a version of the reconciliation bill that includes a 20% cut to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), totaling more than $180 billion through 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Food insecurity advocates said they are extremely concerned. The proposed cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would affect more than 40 million people nationwide. In Ohio, experts project the change would create a gap the state can’t afford. ‘Ohio would be responsible for nearly $400 million each year in new spending just to maintain what are already inadequate benefits for primarily children, seniors, disabled Ohioans and working families,’ said Joree Novotny, executive director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks. Novotny is sounding the alarm over proposed reductions to both Medicaid and SNAP benefits in the legislation, which comes as food banks in Northeast Ohio report record need. […] Novotny, however, urged Congress to reconsider the cuts. ‘Ultimately, we need this legislation to serve the interests of American and Ohio families that are struggling with high prices and trying to survive paycheck to paycheck,’ she said. ‘This isn’t reflective of what they’re looking for. And we would urge Congress to reconsider before it structurally, fundamentally changes the basic food assistance that we’ve promised to all of our citizens.’” [WDTN, 7/2/25]