Baldwin, Evers, Moore, and Pocan Release Joint Statement on SNAP Cuts and UW Layoffs from Republican Budget Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Governor Tony Evers, and Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI-04) and Mark Pocan (D-WI-02) released the following statement after the University of Wisconsin (UW) announced they were forced to lay off 91 staff members who implement a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) initiative because of Congressional Republicans’ budget bill:

“Sadly, we are watching vital resources that Wisconsin families rely on to stay healthy and help put food on the table being stripped away – all so Republicans in Congress and President Trump could give out tax breaks for the wealthy. FoodWIse, and the dedicated staff behind it, have proven to be a good investment that helps tens of thousands of Wisconsinites stay well fed and live a healthy life. But today’s news means their work will be practically wiped out, and families will be left out to dry. While we hope Wisconsin’s Congressional Republicans who voted for this are prepared to answer to impacted families, we will continue to fight every way we can to make sure Wisconsinites have the food and tools they need to stay healthy.”

UW today announced that due to the elimination of SNAP-Ed funding in Republicans’ budget bill, UW-Madison's Division of Extension laid off 91 employees who run FoodWIse, which implements important nutrition education programming across Wisconsin. FoodWIse supports direct education for over 35,000 participants annually, as well as broader community initiatives that reach more than 98,000 people across the state. Other affected Wisconsin grantees include: FoodRight, Inc., Hunger Task Force, Inc., Ho-Chunk Nation Health Center – ITO, Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council (GLITC) – ITO, and Wisconsin Fit Families.

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