One local legislator took a bit of umbrage with Governor Andy Beshear’s comments last Monday afternoon, regarding what they believed to be a slight to the Kentucky General Assembly’s efforts combating hunger across the Commonwealth.
District 9 Representative Myron Dossett, who serves part of Christian County, reiterated that the House and Senate “are only as good as the forecasted numbers put in front us,” and that crafting the 2024-26 budget process required both the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, as well as the Area Development Districts, to make their cases for appropriations.
Dossett noted those numbers “have to be trusted,” because they aren’t readily available to the General Assembly.
Last Monday, Beshear specifically noted he would have like to see the Kentucky General Assembly be more aggressive in 2021 — when reportedly $50 million in federal food aid was left on the table during the COVID-19 pandemic, after legislators opted to move away from emergency status.
In response, Dossett said he and other lawmakers wanted to remain “cautious when spending one-time dollars,” and while food security remained a priority, the idea was to be less federally reliant during the moment — and to end the lockdown.
Dossett noted that discussions are already underway for the 2026-28 budget, as well.
Dossett also emphasized that extra monies have been allotted in recent budgets for the Department of Agriculture under former Commissioner Ryan Quarles and current Commissioner Jonathan Shell, as food banks and hospitals desire fresh Kentucky produce and mutually-beneficial partnerships with local farmers and agrarians.
Furthermore, Dossett said as part of the Tobacco Oversight Settlement Committee, he assured such cash also gets pushed to food banks, as well, so healthy foods can reach the tables of families and children.
A major concern now, Dossett added, is the continued government shutdown, which is approaching the final month of October.
The November freeze of SNAP benefits, coupled with a severe reduction in TANF dollars, is on his — and many others’ — minds, and he’s hoping a federal compromise can soon be found.
Dossett said he is “urging the Governor” to reach out to members of his Democratic party, and implore them to rethink their strategy as this shutdown continues to unfold.
Kentucky’s Food Insecurity Focus Since 2020
(compiled through 25 sources, including ChatGPT)
For students / school-age children
Implemented Pandemic and Summer EBT (P-EBT / SEBT) programs in partnership with CHFS.
During COVID school closures Kentucky administered P-EBT and then moved to the federal Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (SEBT) program (the permanent summer EBT program authorized nationally in 2023). Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) now issues summer EBT benefits and automatic enrollment for many eligible children.
Used state budget and federal funds to keep school-feeding systems running.
The legislature’s biennial and supplemental budget bills (for example the major budget bill, HB6 in recent sessions) set appropriations and policy directions that affect school nutrition programs and how districts can operate summer feeding. (Budget bills and related session actions influence how the state matches and administers federal nutrition dollars.)
Worked with state agencies to get federal approvals for P-EBT for school years affected by COVID.
Kentucky applied for and received USDA approvals to issue P-EBT/SEBT for affected school years — actions that required coordination between the executive branch and the legislature’s budget/oversight process.
For senior citizens (older adults)
Budgetary and oversight pressure to sustain Senior Meals programs; emergency funding moves to avoid cutoffs.
As federal pandemic-era funds ran down, lawmakers pressed the executive branch and budget office to find funding for Senior Meals (Meals on Wheels, congregate and home-delivered meals). In October 2025 the state moved/reallocated roughly $9–$9.1 million to keep the senior meals program running after legislative pressure and oversight attention. Those funding moves were tied to budget language and the legislature’s appropriation process.
Legislative oversight and hearings on senior nutrition program sustainability.
Interim and oversight committees in the General Assembly have been active in examining senior-meal funding shortfalls and urging action — which resulted in the executive reallocation noted above.
SNAP, other public-benefits policy & administration
Legislative proposals and votes to change SNAP eligibility and work rules.
Since 2020 there have been legislative efforts (and at times floor votes) to tighten SNAP eligibility, add asset or work requirements, or change administration rules. Some of those measures were controversial and drew criticism from advocates who warned they could increase food insecurity. (Media coverage and legislative roll calls document those proposals).
Regulatory/administrative changes implemented under legislative authority.
The legislature’s statutes and administrative regulations (Kentucky Administrative Regulations that govern SNAP/benefit administration) guide how CHFS implements SNAP, eligibility, appeals and fraud investigations. Oversight actions and statutory language passed by the General Assembly shape those rules.
Important context & limits
Federal programs matter a lot.
Many of the biggest expansions that reduced child and senior food insecurity during the pandemic (P-EBT, extra SNAP emergency allotments, ARPA funding for community services) came from federal law; Kentucky’s role was implementing those programs, budgeting state matching or wraparound services, and using oversight to push for continuity when federal money wound down.
Recent and ongoing developments.
The senior-meals funding shortfall and the state’s emergency reallocation are recent (October 2025) and show the legislature’s oversight role — but some policy proposals to tighten SNAP eligibility are recent/ongoing and remain politically contested.
