California Must Protect Families as Federal Government Abandons Its Responsibility to the Hungry

January 15, 2026

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Last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled his 2026-27 State Budget proposal. This marks the first state budget that must account for the devastating funding cuts and structural shifts to food and nutrition programs mandated by the federal passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” that was passed through a highly-partisan budget reconciliation process. Due to these Republican budget cuts, California will be forced to cover 75% of administrative costs for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as CalFresh, further requiring the state to allocate nearly $400 million in state funds.

Despite these significant challenges, national anti-hunger advocates at the Los Angeles-based MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger are heartened to see that Gov. Newsom’s proposal leverages stronger than expected revenue to continue funding food and nutrition programs. This commitment to feeding our neighbors stands in stark contrast to the intentional cruelty of the federal government.

MAZON President & CEO Abby J. Leibman stated:

“At a time when the federal government is slashing vital programs, withholding food assistance to punish political enemies, and shifting undue financial burdens to the states, we are proud to see that Gov. Newsom is stepping up with his fiscal vision for the coming year. California has always stood as a beacon of compassion and common sense, now in direct opposition to a federal government targeting the poor and most vulnerable. A budget is a moral document, one that reflects who we prioritize and who we leave behind. In every state, and certainly one as wealthy and resourceful as California, our values demand that no one should go hungry.

“We’re heartened to see Gov. Newsom’s continued investments in food and nutrition programs such as universal school meals, summer EBT, and the Tribal Food Sovereignty Program funded through Proposition 4. As a proud Californian, I celebrate Gov. Newsom’s dedication to protect these programs. We look forward to working with the Legislature to ensure California continues to lead where the federal government has failed.”

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Historic Cuts to SNAP Deepen the War on Women (Ms. Magazine)

The last few months in Washington, D.C., have been consumed with political theatrics around the budget reconciliation process. Republicans in the House and Senate scrambled to pass legislation that will cut $184 billion from SNAP through 2034—by far the largest cut to SNAP in the program’s history—to finance tax cuts for the wealthy big businesses. They also hope to increase funding for pursuit of immigrants. Read more.

House Ag Dems: OBBBA will allow states to end SNAP (The Fence Post)

States will be allowed to opt out of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program if state officials decide they cannot or will not pay the increased cost share under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Democratic members of the House Agriculture Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee repeatedly pointed out at a hearing today. The three witnesses all agreed. Read more.

Partnering with MAZON: Fighting Hunger and Nourishing the Jewish Soul (TC Jewfolk)

TC Jewfolk is proud to partner with MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger – a national organization inspired by Jewish values – to fight to end hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds in the United States and Israel.

“We need committed advocates who do the work to move legislation aimed at ending hunger forward, as well as to fight harmful policies that would erode the safety net that enables so many people to put food on the table,” Haviv explained. “That work must happen at every level, and we are committed to a strong effort in statehouses nationwide.” Read more.