Posted on by Randy Slovacek

North Dakota Republicans Vote Down School Lunches For Poor Kids

North Dakota Republicans Vote Down School Lunches For Poor Kids
North Dakota State Sen. Mike Wobbema (R)

By a vote of 24-23, North Dakota Republicans voted down a bill that would provide school lunches to poor kids.

During consideration of the bill, state Senator Michael Wobbema, R-Valley City, told his colleagues:

“Yes, I can understand children going hungry, but is that really the problem of the school district? Is that the problem of the state of North Dakota? It’s really the problem of parents being negligent with their kids, if their kids are choosing to eat in the first place.”

“IF their kids are choosing to eat in the first place???” I think science has proven kids need to eat.

From KFYR-TV:

Those in favor of the bill say the Legislature will likely spend more money on things they believe are less important than feeding children, like using state dollars to finance private education.

The expanded school meals program would’ve cost the state about $6 million. The upcoming vouchers bill, which would use public funds to pay for private education, is expected to cost about $24 million.

Currently, the federal government pays for meals for children in households that make 130% or less of the poverty level.

House Bill 1491 would’ve covered meals for students whose families are between 130% and 200% of the poverty level. For a family of four, that means those making less than about $60,000.

Related: North Dakota Lawmakers Ban Trans Students From Sports