VIEWPOINT | We want our kids healthy, and our tax dollars used wisely

Guest column by Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt & Sen. Sydney Davis

The Mount Rushmore State has long prided itself on personal responsibility, fiscal stewardship and putting families first. Now, we have an opportunity to follow through on those values by advancing a commonsense reform that protects our children’s health and assures responsible use of taxpayer dollars.

We’re asking Gov. Rhoden to submit a federal waiver prohibiting using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to purchase sugary drinks, candy and other non-nutritious items. This reform realigns SNAP with its original intent: to help families afford healthy food.

As mothers, we want every child to grow up healthy and strong. But right now, taxpayer-funded benefits are being used to purchase products that fuel obesity, diabetes and other chronic diseases, especially in our children. That’s not good policy, and it’s not fair for the health of South Dakota families.

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