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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Democratic state lawmakers in South Carolina called for more action days before food stamp benefits will be paused as the federal government shutdown continues. SNAP, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, will not receive federal funding starting Nov. 1 due to Congress not being able to pass a bill to fund the federal government and its programs. Gov. Henry McMaster announced Tuesday that the One SC Fund was activated alongside the State Guard. McMaster noted that any money donated during this time to the fund would only be used to assist with local programs providing aid to SNAP recipients in the state. But state Democrats argue that while activating the fund is a good first step, there’s more that can be done from within the State House. “I also think it’s very important that everyone understand that that is not a solution,” said state Sen. Russell Ott (D-District 26). “That’s almost like a band-aid on a bullet hole. And it might buy us a couple of days, but if this goes into effect and lasts, who knows how long, that’s not going to get us out of this problem that we are currently facing.” One of those calls made by the group included a request for McMaster to declare a state of emergency, similar to one recently enacted in Virginia. “The governor has actually done it before,” said state Rep. Hamilton Grant (D-District 79). “Declaring a state of emergency does not require new funding from the General Assembly. It allows the governor to redirect existing resources and emergency appropriations to meet urgent needs. This same authority was actually used during the COVID-19 pandemic when funds were redirected to support public health and food access programs.” McMaster said Tuesday he does not plan to issue a state of emergency in South Carolina, saying an emergency declaration must meet certain criteria and that there is nothing that allows that to happen in South Carolina for a food-related emergency. State Sen. Deon Tedder (D-District 42) also addressed his recent request for Gov. McMaster and other State House leaders to call for a special session of the General Assembly. Under South Carolina law, the governor cannot convene a special session, with that power reserved for both the Senate President and House Speaker. “Convene the General Assembly,” he said. “We could allocate, we could appropriate funds to certain organizations, to our food banks, immediately.” Those funds include more than $800 million in South Carolina’s rainy day fund, stored to assist in emergencies. When asked on Tuesday what’s stopping the state from using part of it to pay for SNAP next month, McMaster said that still could happen - but it would involve a lengthy process. “They could appropriate the money from some source. They, of course, would have to be called back into session by themselves, and then they’d have to agree that’s what they want to do,” McMaster said Tuesday. “But that’s something that would take some time and some debate. There’s no debate over this. We’re ready for this. We’re ready to go, we’re wide open, and all we need is for people to step forward.” The group also noted that rural counties will be among the hardest hit should SNAP be frozen in South Carolina - specifically citing counties such as Allendale, Bamberg, Lee and Williamsburg with the highest poverty rates. They also argued that those impacts could have ripple effects going beyond feeding South Carolinians. “The economic impact of cuts to our SNAP benefits and our programs in the state of South Carolina are going to have direct impacts on our retail operations, our grocery stores, businesses at large, and the employment that these businesses support,” said state Rep. Roger Kirby (D-District 101). This is a developing story. Stay with WIS for updates. Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here. WATCH US LIVE Watch WIS live during newscasts and Soda City Living in the livestream player below. When WIS is not on the air, the player will feature Gray Media’s Local News Live.
