No free lunch
During last week’s North Dakota Legislative session HB 1475 was brought to the floor and failed by a vote of 39 to 54. It only took 40 minutes.
HB 1475 would provide breakfast and lunch to all students of participating entities, including school districts, nonpublic schools, and tribal schools at no cost to the student. This would include students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. This would be funded through the general fund of the state treasury.
Of the 51 documents submitted during the hearing about the bill, 48 were in support, two were against, and one was neutral.
Of those who supported the bill were the ND Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the American Heart Association, the North Dakota School Boards Association, the Great Plains Food Bank, multiple school and private citizens.
Two individuals sent a letter against stating taxpayers should have to foot the bill, and Lynelle Johnson, Director of Child Nutrition and Food Distribution submitted an informational document outlining information about the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs.
