Support Senate Bill 180 to Expand Free School Meals for Utah Children

I am writing to express my strong support for Senate Bill 180, sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, which would expand free school meal eligibility for K-6 students in Utah. As a taxpayer without children of my own, I believe this is exactly the kind of investment our community needs. The current eligibility threshold allows children from a family of four earning up to approximately $57,000 annually to qualify for free school lunch. Senate Bill 180 would raise this to about $66,000 annually, reaching more families who are struggling but currently fall just outside the qualification range. This modest expansion addresses a critical need, as more than 10% of Utah children experience food insecurity, and for many students, school meals are their only food for the entire day. The funding mechanism is fiscally responsible, drawing from existing revenue streams including up to 10% from growing alcohol sales revenue and an additional $5 million from the Public Education and Stabilization Fund. This approach ensures we can expand coverage without creating unsustainable budget pressures. I pay taxes to support a functioning society where all children have the opportunity to learn and thrive. A hungry child cannot focus in class, cannot reach their potential, and cannot contribute fully to our state's future. Ensuring children have adequate nutrition is not charity but rather a sound investment in Utah's workforce, economy, and social stability. Senator Escamilla correctly identifies food insecurity as among the top three issues facing Utah families. Following the successful expansion through House Bill 100 in 2025, Senate Bill 180 represents the next logical step toward ensuring no child goes hungry while trying to learn. I urge you to support Senate Bill 180 and vote yes on this measure. Feeding children should be a priority we can all agree on, regardless of whether we have children ourselves.