TENNESSEE GOVERNOR BILL LEE AGAIN DECLINES $84 MILLION IN FEDERAL SUMMER E-B-T FUNDS
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has once again declined to participate in the federal Summer E-B-T nutrition program, leaving approximately $84 million in federal funds unclaimed and preventing the state from providing supplemental food benefits to children during the summer months when school meals are unavailable.
As a result, Tennessee joins 11 other states opting out of the initiative, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Critics, including Democratic State Representative John Ray Clemmons and advocacy groups like the Tennessee Justice Center and Save the Children Action Network, argue that the decision exacerbates food insecurity, potentially affecting around 700,000 children across all 95 counties.
They note that community food pantries experienced heightened demand last summer and anticipate even greater need this year, despite a letter from numerous mayors urging the governor to accept the funds. While the state has allocated some alternative funding, opponents say it reaches fewer children in more limited areas. The application deadline has passed, making participation impossible for this year.
