Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Josh Elliott  Calls Ned Lamont’s SNAP Cliff Response ‘Inadequate,’ Urges Bold Action to Protect Families

 

 

Hamden, CT (October 31, 2025) — Democratic candidate for governor, Josh Elliott today criticized Governor Ned Lamont’s inadequate response to the looming expiration of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) supports, joining the droves of legislators warning that thousands of Connecticut families will face higher food insecurity without a deeper investment in aid.

 

In response to Governor Lamont’s $3 million allocation to SNAP aid, Elliott offers the following statement. 

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“To support the roughly 400,000 people in our state who depend on the $72 million SNAP benefits they receive monthly, our governor has proposed an inadequate solution that would effectively amount to less than a person. It’s clear that Ned has no understanding of the dire situation his lack of leadership puts thousands of families in. 

On day one of the loss of benefits, thousands of Connecticut families will feel the immediate pressure to put food on the table. Soon after that, food banks will be stretched thin, meeting the increased demands for support. The impact doesn’t stop at families. SNAP sustains the farmers, businesses, and the nearly 2,500 grocers and markets that feed our neighborhoods – pulling money out of entire communities.

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Right now, Ned is the only person in the state standing between a family in need and the security of their next meal. We don’t need band-aid solutions. We need bold leadership that protects our residents and our state’s economy. 

States with far less financial flexibility are doing far more to meet the moment. And everything those governors do to replace SNAP benefits dually supports our federal leaders to continue fighting for affordable healthcare while ensuring the burden of the resulting shutdown doesn’t fall on Connecticut families. 

 

I’m calling on our governor to take a stand and dig into our surplus and reserves to shield our most vulnerable communities in this manufactured crisis. Anything less leaves families exposed and Connecticut behind. That’s not the leadership we need in this moment.”

States with less are doing more:

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Connecticut has a $380.1 million budget surplus and a more than $4 billion rainy day fund. Connecticut families receive about $72 million/month in SNAP benefits. But Lamont has only put aside $3 million in emergency funding to Foodshare, leaving families, especially in Northwest and Northeast CT, far more exposed than in states showing bolder action: 

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• Rhode Island is facing a budget deficit of about $297.8 million for FY 2026. But they’ve declared a state of emergency and have allocated up to ~$6 million TANF funds for families with children, as well as food bank support for the nearly $29 million monthly benefits they’re expected to lose for roughly 145,000 recipients.

• Colorado is dealing with a nearly $1 billion budget hole, according to recent reporting. But they’ve allocated up to $10 million in state emergency funding for food banks; extended WIC funding; philanthropic partnerships, and spatial mapping of SNAP needs. They’re also joining litigation against the USDA

• In Hawaiʻi, around 11.2% of the state’s population received SNAP benefits last year.  In response to a looming $60 million/month loss, they’re launching a $100 million relief program, directed at housing and utility assistance for families with children, relieving the financial burden to families so they can fit the cost of groceries in their budget.

• The number of SNAP recipients in New York is nearly equal to the entire population of Connecticut, totaling a loss of nearly $640 million for roughly 3 million people.  In response, the state announced ~$30 million fast-tracked emergency food aid + joined lawsuit seeking federal contingency funding.

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Elliott outlined immediate steps the state should take to blunt the impact of the SNAP cliff:

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• Immediately send stimulus checks to families most at risk,

• Match benefit levels to current federal benefits during the government shutdown,

• Use Connecticut’s budget surplus and rainy day funds to protect families,

• Provide additional support to food banks and nonprofits, and

• Align with Connecticut advocate’s calls for the creation of a $2 billion fund to backstop social safety net programs residents depend on.

• Create a fund to fortify Connecticut against future attacks from the Trump administration. 

• Declare of State of Emergency in Connecticut, removing the spending cap and allowing the General Assembly to help the people of Connecticut.

“This is a test of priorities,” Elliott continued. “Do we protect families — or do we sit on record surpluses while kids go hungry? Connecticut deserves a governor who won’t wait for Washington to act before stepping up.”