AFSCME members in New Mexico who help local residents access food benefits are worried about the continuing impact of the federal government shutdown.
Kevin Touchton, a family assistant analyst with the state, is also the vice president of AFSCME Local 2777 (Council 18). As part of his job, he determines eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Formerly known as food stamps, SNAP is a federal program that helps needy families afford groceries.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced $30 million in state money to ensure eligible families in New Mexico don’t go hungry. But funding for SNAP comes from Washington. As a result of the government shutdown, now the longest in history, SNAP beneficiaries won’t receive their full benefits.
“It’s horrible to think, but this is going to result in people dying, children and veterans dying, hungry people doing desperate things, crime increasing, homelessness increasing,” Touchton says. “I could see grocery stores being impacted by less sales and more theft. This will have a horrible impact on the people, but not just that, the economy as well.”
He adds, “I know that New Mexicans have pride in their community, though, and hopefully we can all step up and help ease us all through these difficult times.”
Already struggling people are suffering even more
The shutdown was caused by the administration and its yes-men and women in Congress who chose to protect tax breaks for billionaires rather than lower health care costs.
On Nov. 1, food assistance for more than 40 million Americans that is delivered through SNAP was scheduled to stop due to the shutdown.
Thanks to court cases brought by states’ attorneys general and a coalition of nonprofits, the administration will now partially fund SNAP benefits for this month. But it still refuses to fully fund critical food support for those most vulnerable — ignoring a judge’s order to make those payments.
