ANNAPOLIS, MD — Yesterday, Governor Wes Moore declared a State of Emergency to address the economic impacts of the federal government shutdown and help deliver resources to support Marylanders' health and welfare. The governor also issued an executive order that will provide $10 million in emergency funding to Maryland food security partners to address the crisis stemming both from the Trump Administration’s threat to withhold funding for November SNAP benefits and the 15,000 federal jobs that have been eliminated in Maryland.
Read more about the governor’s announcement below:
The Baltimore Banner: Here’s how federal workers can get financial assistance during the government shutdown
Thousands of Maryland’s federal workers and contractors are facing financial uncertainty as the government shutdown stretches on — the second longest in U.S. history.
Gov. Wes Moore on Thursday declared a state of emergency and tapped $10 million to help food banks facing increased demand due to furloughs and the looming end of federal food aid. Moore also announced a series of actions in early October to help Marylanders impacted by the shutdown.
“We are going to keep our state government open. We are going to protect critical programs like Medicaid and food assistance for as long as we can,” Moore said in a video. “We are working to ensure that no one else is foreclosed on or evicted simply because Washington won’t do its job or would rather force people to work without a paycheck.”
WBAL-TV 11 News: Maryland emergency declaration to send $10M to food banks amid looming halt to SNAP benefits
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency Thursday ahead of the looming funding halt for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
On Oct. 10, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said debit cards used by SNAP beneficiaries to buy groceries will not be reloaded as of Nov. 1 if the federal government shutdown continues.
Speaking Thursday morning at the Anne Arundel County Food Bank in Crownsville, the governor said he's declaring a state of emergency in Maryland to send $10 million in grant funding from the Fiscal Responsibility Fund to food banks and food bank partners.
"Until this shutdown ends, we share a collective responsibility to help each other out," Moore said.
The Baltimore Sun: Gov. Wes Moore declares state of emergency ahead of possible SNAP aid lapse
Moore called the order one of the state’s “most aggressive” responses to the federal shutdown, which he said is inflicting “permanent economic damage” on Maryland’s workforce, which includes nearly 270,000 federal employees and 225,000 federal contractors.
Moore emphasized that he did not make the decision to declare an emergency lightly, and that his administration and its legislative partners will continue to “take this week by week.”
“I understand the weight of what it means to put this state under a state of emergency, particularly when the state of emergency is not a natural disaster — when it is a human-made one,” he said. “We are barreling towards the longest federal government shutdown in the history of the United States, and no state can fill the gap.”
Maryland Delegation Members Express Support for Governor’s Action to Provide Food Support to Marylanders
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks and U.S. Representatives Steny Hoyer, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, Glenn Ivey, Sarah Elfreth, April McClain Delaney, and Johnny Olszewski (all D-Md.) released the following statement on Governor Moore’s decision to declare a state of emergency in order to support Maryland families impacted by Republicans’ shutdown and refusal to use contingency funds for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits:
“With prices on the rise and the uncertainty created by the Republican government shutdown, many Marylanders are struggling to make ends meet. Meanwhile the Trump Administration has failed to ensure those in need will have access to nutrition assistance – refusing to keep SNAP benefits flowing. That’s why we’re glad to see Governor Moore take action to protect vulnerable Maryland families. We stand with the Governor and support this decision to help Marylanders put food on the table, as we continue fighting to reopen the government and end this shameful Republican shutdown.”
Statement from U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen
“Donald Trump is intentionally withholding billions of dollars in emergency funds provided by Congress that would keep SNAP benefits flowing in November during this Republican shutdown—deliberately choosing to inflict pain and hunger on millions of American families, including hundreds of thousands of Marylanders,” said U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen. “While this Administration turns its back on people struggling to feed their families amid rising costs, Team Maryland continues to stand with them. As we continue to fight in Congress to reopen the government with a responsible funding agreement to rein in Trump’s lawlessness and prevent health care costs from skyrocketing, I’m glad that Governor Moore is taking action to help keep food on Marylanders’ tables.”
Statement from Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman
“The Trump Administration's refusal to release the contingency funds that Congress appropriated for SNAP benefits during this shutdown is a horrific misuse of power. While Trump is choosing to starve American families, Governor Wes Moore is stepping up to protect our people,” said Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman. “Governor Moore’s actions today will provide his team the flexibility they need to treat this crisis like the emergency it is and help prevent our residents from going hungry while the Trump Administration continues to play politics with the lives of Americans.”
Statement from Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier
“Approximately 100,000 Baltimore County residents – including newborns in need of formula, homebound seniors, and those with disabilities – rely on SNAP food benefits, and the suspension of this vital program will be devastating for our families, communities, and economy.
“I'm deeply grateful to Governor Moore for recognizing this critical issue for the emergency it is and directing millions of dollars towards food banks and nonprofits across the state. No family deserves to suffer from food insecurity, and we will continue to work with all our partners to keep residents safe, healthy, and fed during these challenges. It is incumbent on all of our leaders in Washington to work together so we can end this federal shutdown and deliver the vital resources our residents need and deserve.”
Statement from Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich
“I want to thank Governor Wes Moore for declaring a state of emergency and dedicating $10 million in state funds to help food banks and community organizations across Maryland. I also want to recognize Attorney General Anthony Brown for joining other state attorneys general in suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Trump Administration for cutting off SNAP funding. The actions of our governor and attorney general are crucial in addressing this unprecedented national emergency that cuts off food to those most in need.
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“Together, these actions by the Governor, the Lt. Governor, and our County Council reflect the values that define Montgomery County and the State of Maryland. We take care of one another, and we do not let partisan politics determine who eats, who works, or who has a place to live. While neither the County nor the State has the resources to backfill the loss of federal funding for SNAP, Montgomery County will continue to do everything in our power to support families and to push back against federal policies that harm the people we serve.”
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