Free lunches for all Pennsylvania children, Democrats propose
There’s a push in Pennsylvania’s General Assembly on Thursday to expand free breakfast and lunch for school children. Many kids are already eligible for free or reduced lunches under a federal program, but the proposal from Democrats would open that opportunity to all children.House and Senate Democrats say the $275 million-a-year proposal is worth the price tag to make sure no kid goes hungry.”It is a tiny, tiny percentage of our overall budget and would have a great return investment on our kids of today and leaders of tomorrow,” Rep. Emily Kinkead said. The bill faces a steep challenge in getting passed in this legislative calendar. Republican Sen. Scott Martin, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, says some districts may already have federal funding available that could be used to offer free meals.
There’s a push in Pennsylvania’s General Assembly on Thursday to expand free breakfast and lunch for school children.
Many kids are already eligible for free or reduced lunches under a federal program, but the proposal from Democrats would open that opportunity to all children.
House and Senate Democrats say the $275 million-a-year proposal is worth the price tag to make sure no kid goes hungry.
“It is a tiny, tiny percentage of our overall budget and would have a great return investment on our kids of today and leaders of tomorrow,” Rep. Emily Kinkead said.
The bill faces a steep challenge in getting passed in this legislative calendar.
Republican Sen. Scott Martin, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, says some districts may already have federal funding available that could be used to offer free meals.
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