Gov. Reynolds Urges Appeal After Judge Blocks Iowa SNAP Restrictions

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds isn't happy with a judge's decision to strike down the state's restrictions on SNAP benefits.

Governor Reynolds Wants Feds to Appeal

CBS2 reports that Governor Reynolds is urging the federal government to appeal a U.S. District Court judge's decision to strike down Iowa's new restrictions on SNAP benefits. The state had previously obtained a waiver that would restrict people from purchasing certain items that the state deemed unhealthy, like soda and candy. But last month, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., struck down those restrictions in Iowa as well as Colorado, Nebraska, Tennessee, and West Virginia, according to CBS2. 

Governor Reynolds stated this week that she wants the federal government to take action, saying, "I hope they do at some point to be quite honest, because I think it's so important. This is about the health of our kids, and our data is horrible."

Iowa Has a Low Error Rate for SNAP Benefits

CBS2 reports that the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services stated this week that Iowa's SNAP error rate is at 5.34%. Since that falls below 6%, the state will not be required to pay federal penalties. The national average for SNAP errors is 10.62%, according to CBS2. 

If Iowa were to appeal the decision, it would fall on the shoulders of Attorney General Brenna Bird.