LINCOLN- A group of state senators are expressing hope they can reverse Gov. Jim Pillen’s recent rejection of $18 million in federal funds to expand a summer grocery benefit for low-income families. Sen. Jen Day joined 16 other senators in introducing a bill that would require the state human services agency to apply for the extra funding via the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program.

It would place an extra $40 a month over three months next summer into EBT cards issued to low-income families to buy groceries during a time when children are out of school and away from free and reduced school lunches. Pillen recently turned thumbs down on joining growing number of states — now 33 — that have opted into the summer program, saying that he didn’t “believe in welfare.”

Day said supporters of her LB952 have reached out to federal officials and are confident that a previously stated Jan. 1 deadline for states to opt into the summer food program can be waived. “It’s clearly not a hard deadline,” the senator said. “As of right now, it’s still open to us.” Sen. Day believes she can get a majority of backers, showing bipartisan support for the credit.

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