A very important bill that will have a direct benefit on a child’s education, health, and well-being will be heard at the Arizona House Education Committee at 2:00 p.m. on January 28, 2025, at the State Capitol.
It is House Bill (HB) 2213 and its lead sponsor is Assistant Democratic House Leader Nancy Gutierrez.
The legislative language is refreshingly short. Please read below:
“The sum of $3,800,000 is appropriated from the state general fund in the fiscal year 2025-2026 to the Department of Education to provide free school lunches for children who meet the income eligibility requirements for free and reduced-price lunches under the national school lunch and child nutrition acts (42 United States Code sections 1751 through 1793).”
A similar measure passed in last year’s legislative session.
This is a good proposal that will assist vulnerable and needy children succeed in school and also guarantee they receive the nutrition needed to happily function at school and at home.
It will also help Working-Class Families make ends meet.
Speaking on the need to continue this program of cutting costs for working-class families and ensuring that no child goes hungry, Representative Gutierrez wrote:
“I’m really glad that this bill is being heard. We know that if students are hungry, they are not able to learn. This bill allows families of four that make between $30-50,000 to qualify for free lunch. As a teacher, I will always work to make sure that students are able to come to school and have access to a healthy breakfast and lunch. The appropriation of $3.8 million is in the Governor’s budget and it is my hope that this bill has the full support of all members.”
Earlier on social media, she posted:
“I’m thrilled to have my school meals bill on our House Education Committee this Tuesday, 1/28 at 2:00. Please email your Representatives and encourage them to vote yes! If you’re on our RTS system, please voice your support. Students need to eat healthy meals in order to learn!…”
Tyler Kowch, the Communications Manager for Save Our Schools Arizona cheered the Gutierrez Proposal, commenting:
“Kids can’t learn when they’re hungry! This fantastic bill by Rep. Gutierrez will provide free school meals to all families currently receiving reduced-price lunches. At a cost of only $3.8 million a year, this should be a no-brainer for our legislators.”
They also posted this graphic of support on social media:
No child should go to bed or come to school hungry.
Representative Gutierrez’s HB2213 will help make sure that does not happen in Arizona.
Hopefully, this will garner the bipartisan support it deserves.
Discover more from Blog for Arizona
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.