Overview

• Governor Abbott vetoed a $60 million budget rider that would have let Texas join the federal Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program used by 38 states, foregoing about $450 million in federal nutrition assistance.
• The program would supply $120 per eligible child for lunches across the three summer months in 2027, benefiting roughly 3.8 million low-income children statewide.
• Abbott said unpredictable federal matching rates for the state’s share of administration costs made the commitment too risky as Congress considers major cuts to SNAP funding.
• Texas House Democrats and Feeding Texas criticized the veto as misplaced priorities with rising summer food insecurity, noting nearly one in four Texas children lack reliable access to meals.
• A built-in state provision would rescind funding if SNAP match formulas change, and Abbott said the Legislature could revisit participation once long-term federal terms are clarified.