ST. PAUL, Minn. — On Thursday, members of the Senate Select Subcommittee on Federal Impacts on Minnesotans and Economic Stability held a roundtable to meet with people affected by the government shutdown, including federal employee representatives, county and state workers who help people receive benefits, and local food shelf leaders. Senator Melissa H. Wiklund (DFL-Bloomington) joined the meeting in her district.
“Today’s roundtable discussion was alarming, as we heard from Minnesotans about the threats the government shutdown poses to programs that help families stay in their homes and healthy,” Senator Wiklund said. “The risk of SNAP benefits disappearing for more than 440,000 Minnesotans on November 1 is especially acute: Our food shelves like VEAP are already at capacity for the number of people they can serve. What’s more, our hardworking federal employees are furloughed or working without a paycheck, and will be seeking food support, energy and rent assistance. Local leaders simply do not know how they will be able to serve everyone who needs help.”
One food distribution site in Bloomington has seen a 33% increase in the number of families served so far this year, offering twice-monthly food assistance to community members in need. Similar trends have been felt across Minnesota, underscoring the human toll of the federal budget bill, increasing inflation and the shutdown.
“All this pain and anxiety is unnecessary.” Said Senator Wiklund. “Republicans and Donald Trump need to negotiate a budget that addresses massively rising healthcare costs and keeps our social safety net in place.”
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