"Mississippi Governor Rejects Federal Summer Food Program, Sparks Debate on State Priorities"
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves has opted out of a federal summer food program for children, citing opposition to expanding the welfare state. The program, which would provide families of students who receive free or reduced lunch with electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, is expected to benefit nearly 21 million children in 35 states, five U.S. territories, and four Tribes. Reeves' office cited a lack of state resources to administer the program, while Democratic Congressman Bennie Thompson criticized the decision, stating that it would burden multiple families.