As Shutdown Threatens Food Aid, Nevadans Deserve Special Session for SNAP – not Hollywood Handouts

LAS VEGAS - Today, members of Nevada’s congressional delegation called on Gov. Joe Lombardo to convene a special session of the Nevada Legislature to address looming and potentially devastating funding shortages for food assistance, known now as SNAP. The call comes as Lombardo has vowed to convene a special session this fall, possibly in part to pass the biggest tax credit handout in Nevada history to Hollywood studios. It also comes as the federal government shutdown extends into its fourth week, nearing a critical Nov. 1 deadline for SNAP funding that could end food aid nationwide. In Nevada, nearly 500,000 people receive SNAP and could lose their November benefits.

Shelbie Swartz, Executive Director of Battle Born Progress, issued the following statement:

“The contrast has never been more evident. At the federal level, we have President Trump and Republicans holding the government hostage to protect tax breaks for the 1% while threatening to raise healthcare premiums for hundreds of thousands of people. This comes as Trump is lauding his gaudy ballroom, paid for by billionaires. Our government is now bought and paid for by the billionaire class. At the state level, we have Governor Lombardo looking to call a special session that would funnel over $1 billion to major Hollywood studios in a handout that transfers wealth from the bottom to the top.

This is happening while Nevadans are facing a food crisis brought about by a Republican government shutdown that is dragging into its fourth week, leading to SNAP benefits being held up in November. Special sessions should focus on averting crises or dealing with emergencies. Half a million Nevadans losing food assistance is an emergency. Sony and Warner Bros. building a film studio is not. Nevadans footing the bill under the guise of job creation or innovation sends a stark message that their material needs are secondary to padding the pockets of the wealthy and well-connected. Sometimes ‘diversifying’ our economy is as simple as feeding children and veterans.”

Dawn Etcheverry, President, Nevada State Education Association, issued the following statement:

“Nevada’s real emergency is that programs that keep children fed, like SNAP, are running out of funds because of the ongoing government shutdown. We know the benefits of kids coming to school well-fed because it helps them learn, focus, and thrive. SNAP delivers one of the highest returns on investment of any public program, far higher than film tax credits ever have.

A special session should be reserved for true emergencies. It is not an emergency that Hollywood doesn’t have access to $1.65 billion belonging to Nevada taxpayers. Rather than convening a special session to advance an economically debunked corporate handout that has already failed in other states, Nevada’s leaders should focus on keeping families fed and schools funded.”

Andrew Clarke, Revenue Coalition Manager, New Day Nevada, issued the following statement:

“If there’s going to be a special session, it should be for Nevadans—not corporate handouts. Our priorities should be clear: Nevadans need relief, not more giveaways to Hollywood studios and the wealthy that we pay for with little to no returns to our communities. 

SNAP benefits keep our neighbors fed, reduce child hunger, and strengthen local economies. Every dollar in food assistance circulates right back into Nevada communities—supporting small businesses, grocers, and farmers. Corporate giveaways, on the other hand, drain resources from the very programs that help working families get by. That’s not economic development or thoughtful revenue—it’s a betrayal of Nevada’s values.”

Leo Murrieta, Director of Make the Road Action Nevada, issued the following statement:

“These days, paychecks just don’t go far enough. Making ends meet feels just about impossible. Shopping for groceries and keeping your family fed was never a luxury until now, and instead of helping Nevada’s families get some relief to weather this storm, Governor Lombardo is set to hand out tens of millions a year to wealthy corporations in this upcoming special legislative session. 

If Nevadans had a Governor fighting for them as hard as Lombardo is fighting for billion-dollar industries, putting food on the table wouldn’t be a luxury. Unfortunately, that is where Nevadans are today. Protecting access to food for hundreds of thousands of people should be a top priority for our Governor, but it’s not. One thing is very clear, it’s not that Nevada simply doesn’t have the money to help or can’t help hardworking Nevadans feed their families, it’s that our Governor simply doesn’t want to.”

Laura Martin, Executive Director of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada Action Fund, issued the following statement: 

“All signs point to Governor Lombardo calling a special session for billion-dollar tax breaks and so-called 'tough on crime' bills - but so far, he has indicated no plans to call a special session for the hundreds of thousands of Nevadans who can’t afford groceries. It is far past time Governor Lombardo showed the same urgency for working families as he does for corporate lobbyists. We urge lawmakers to explore state-funded emergency food assistance, increased support for local food banks, and temporary benefit extensions to offset federal cuts imposed by the Trump administration.

The Governor can choose to act, or he can stand by while half a million of his constituents lose access to life-sustaining benefits. Nevadans deserve better than empty rhetoric about personal responsibility while families are forced to skip meals.”

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About Battle Born Progress: Battle Born Progress, through strategic communication efforts, empowers, engages and mobilizes Nevada voters to build a state where everyone has a fair opportunity to succeed. We support, engage, and mobilize the progressive community through bold leadership, strategic communications, accountability, and education. We are on the cutting edge of new media and are the go-to source for progressive issues and advocacy for traditional media.