Lt. Gov. Pinnell addresses housing and SNAP concerns amid shutdown threat

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Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell on Friday visited A New Leaf in Owasso, but the conversation pivoted from the critical need for affordable housing particularly for residents with developmental disabilities to the looming government shutdown that threatens to suspend food assistance for thousands of Oklahomans.

Pinnell emphasized the state’s focus on legislative action to increase resources for affordable housing, stating, “I’m working with state leaders… making sure that we have resources, you know, grants, you know, chasing grants, chasing incentives.”

He revealed plans to introduce “model legislation” for funding when the legislative session begins in early February, though specifics were not provided.

The visit also highlighted the urgent issue of SNAP benefits potentially being suspended after Nov. 1 if the federal shutdown continues.

Pinnell expressed optimism about political pressure to resolve the issue, saying, “I like it when there is a deadline for elected officials… we don’t want anybody inside the state of Oklahoma or any state for that matter, to go without… food nourishment.”