Food Should Not Be Political, Rep. Brennan Condemns House Passage of SNAP Funding Proposal

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan (D-Parma) today issued the following statement on House Bill (HB) 730 and proposed changes to SNAP administrative funding that fails to meet the need and would leave thousands of Ohioan veterans, children, and community members hungry.

“Growing up as the son of a mother who relied on SNAP to make ends meet, I know firsthand that this program is not a handout - it’s a lifeline,” said Rep. Brennan. “House Bill 730 turns its back on families like mine by shortchanging the very counties where the need is greatest and putting access to food assistance at risk. We should be strengthening this program, not undermining it, especially when so many children, veterans, and working families are already struggling to put food on the table.”

More than 60% of SNAP recipients live in Ohio’s largest counties, yet the Republican-passed proposal would ensure that those counties in Ohio would receive only about 20% of the state funding allocated. Over half a million children and 45K Ohio veterans rely on SNAP. 

Underfunding caseworkers also risks costly errors that could jeopardize federal SNAP dollars and make groceries even less affordable for Ohio families. This plan moves away from a fair, needs-based funding formula and could lead to higher local taxes or service cuts.

At a time when Ohio families are struggling with the rising cost of groceries, rent, and utilities, this proposal shifts more costs onto counties and makes it harder for people to access basic food assistance.

Rep. Brennan believes that the legislature should restore a fair, needs-based funding approach that protects food assistance, supports counties, and helps Ohio families keep up with the cost of living.