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Gov. Stitt 'not resorting' to using rainy day fund if SNAP benefits lapse

Sue Ogrocki/AP

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt speaks following a State Board of Equalization meeting Monday, April 20, 2020, in Oklahoma City. The board, led by Stitt, declared a revenue failure for the fiscal year that ends June 30, 2020, and Stitt warned cuts to agency budgets over the next two years will likely be unavoidable, amid crashing oil prices and dwindling revenue collections as the state's economy ground to a halt in an attempt to control the spread of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

By: Jennifer Maupin

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OKLAHOMA CITY — Governor Kevin Stitt is not planning to use the state's rainy day fund to supplement a potential lapse in SNAP benefits.

Stitt addressed concerns at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City at 1 p.m. on Oct. 29.

He said that while the rainy day fund is as big as it can constitutionally get, if states use it for this purpose, the federal government is unlikely to reimburse those funds. So instead of using those funds Stitt is looking at state agencies, like the Department of Education, to look at ways to increase help for those in need.

Stitt also urged Oklahomans to do their part to help one another, citing the Oklahoma Standard.

SNAP benefits are at risk of lapsing on Nov. 1st due to the ongoing US government shutdown.