Reynolds should follow Pillen’s lead

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen had a change of heart this week. We urge Iowa’s governor to follow his lead.

In December, Pillen and more than a dozen red state governors turned down a federal offer to fund $40 EBT cards to children in June, July and August. Free or reduced-price school lunches aren’t generally served over the summer, so the extra money would help low-income families get by.

Nebraska stod to receive $18 million in extra summer food help. But Pillen turned it down.

“I don’t believe in welfare,” Pillen said.

But in the meantime, Pillen spoke with Nebraskans who would be hurt by his decision including high school kids. Also, a bill forcing Pillen’s hand looked to be gaining momentum in the Nebraska Legislature.

“They talked about being hungry, and they talked about the summer USDA program and, depending upon access, when they'd get a sack of food,” Pillen said of the high school students during a news conference this week. “And from my seat, what I saw there, we have to do better in Nebraska.”

Back on the eastern side of the Missouri River, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ decision refusing summer food aid remains stubbornly in place. And there has been no meaningful effort by Republicans who control the Legislature to urge Reynolds to change her mind.

Reynolds turned down $29 million for summer EBT cards, with the state chipping in $2 million for administrative costs. The aid would help 240,000 kids buy food this summer.

But the governor argued the money wasn’t subject to nutrition standards, so three’s no guarantee it would be used to buy healthy food. Clearly, Reynolds believes low-income families can’t be trusted to buy the right foods. But a 2017 USDA survey found that the grocery shopping habits of families on food assistance and families that do not receive help are pretty similar.

Reynolds’ excuse rang hollow, especially in a state where food stamps recipients now face barriers to eligibility and food banks across Iowa have been unable to keep up with high demand. It’s hard to imagine how denying kids summer food help will improve their nutrition.

Reynolds, like Pillen, should be talking to Iowans who will be affected by her decision. And it would be heartening if majority lawmakers showed some interest in poor kids in their districts.

Theer’s no shame in reversing a call after further review. The governor can show she’s listening. The only shame would be to stick with a decision that will hurt nearly a quarter-million Iowa kids.

(319) 398-8262; editorial@thegazette.com