GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto House Bill 2207, which would impose needless additional bureaucratic requirements on the administration of nutrition assistance by the Department of Social Services.

For many vulnerable Virginia families, the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the only means of affording healthy food. As a federal program, SNAP has its own eligibility requirements. House Bill 2207 would unnecessarily add to those requirements, to the detriment of the Virginians the program is designed to help, and impede efforts to administer the program efficiently.

Throughout my term as Governor, the First Lady has shown tremendous leadership in working with the members of the General Assembly to increase children's and families' access to healthy, nutritious food in school and at home. This bill would be a step backwards in our collective efforts to ensure that everyone has the food they need to learn, thrive, and contribute towards building the New Virginia Economy.

Accordingly, I veto this bill.