Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan made the rounds at the State Fair Thursday and spoke to WCCO's Adam and Jordana Show.
Flanagan talked about how excited she is about the free school breakfast and lunch program passed by the Legislature last session.
"As someone who grew up with a different colored lunch ticket, I know that shame, I know that stigma, and we're doing away with that," said Flanagan. "We've heard from school nutritional workers who have said to me, 'Lietenant Governor, I saw kids who are bringing an apple, a container of yogurt in their lunchbox and I would try to sneak them something.' Like, that's ridiculous. Let's just have kids with full bellies who can learn."
In March, Governor Tim Walz signed into law a bill making breakfast and lunch free for all students at schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.
Under the bill signed by Walz in March, the state will pay the gap between federal funding and the cost of school meals. It's expected to cost about $200 million annually to feed roughly 600,000 students.
Flanagan touted some other accomplishments of the last legislative session, including the rebate checks that some families have started to receive. She says she's hopeful they will help offset the cost of school supplies and clothes for those who need it.
"Growing up we didn't have a lot, so I know that those $260 to my family would have made an incredible difference," explained Flanagan.
Most Minnesotans who qualified for the rebate checks and have direct deposit set up with the state should have received the money last week. Paper hecks were set to be issued by the end of last week, but the state's Commissioner of Revenue, Paul Marquart, said it would be a much slower process mailing those out.
The payments include $260 for individual filers making less than $75,000 a year, or $520 for married couples making less than $150,000 per year. Families could also receive another $260 apiece for up to three dependents with a maximum amount of $1,300.
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