Full Breakdown
Wyoming Implements SUN Bucks Program Amid Legislative Opposition
4/21/2026, 2:44:39 AM
Legislative Context and Background
In 2024, Wyoming became one of 15 states to opt out of the federal SUN Bucks program, designed to provide supplemental meals for children during the summer months. The state legislature declined to support the program again in 2025 by rejecting a bill to enroll in SUN Bucks and subsequently quashing Governor Mark Gordon's $1.8 million budget request to administer it. The SUN Bucks initiative, launched by the Biden administration, aims to alleviate child hunger by loading a debit card with $120 per child for grocery purchases during the summer when school meals are unavailable.
Governor's Initiative
Despite legislative opposition, Governor Mark Gordon announced a one-time funding solution to implement the SUN Bucks program in Wyoming starting in June 2025. He signed Executive Order 2026-02, directing the Department of Family Services to develop a plan to reach all 23 counties in Wyoming. Gordon emphasized the necessity of the program, stating, “While the Legislature was unwilling to make sure our young children get food throughout the summer months, we have stepped up to ensure it happens.”
Criticism and Opposition
Critics of the SUN Bucks program, including Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder and members of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, have expressed concerns that it resembles a welfare program. Degenfelder stated her preference for improving existing food assistance programs rather than adopting what she termed a new welfare initiative. Representative Scott Smith, R-Lingle, echoed these sentiments during legislative debates, questioning the extent of government responsibility in providing for families and warning against overly generous entitlement programs. He remarked, “When they get a handout, we take that away from them,” highlighting a belief in the importance of self-sufficiency.
Support for SUN Bucks
Supporters of the SUN Bucks program argue that it is essential for addressing food insecurity, which affects one in six people in Wyoming. First Lady Jennie Gordon, a proponent of the initiative through the Wyoming Hunger Initiative, highlighted the plight of the 35,000 children facing food insecurity during the summer months. She urged lawmakers to reconsider their stance, emphasizing that “those children should not be left hungry.”
Implementation and Future Outlook
Following the legislative rejection of his budget request, Governor Gordon's executive order aims to create a streamlined, albeit limited, version of the SUN Bucks program. The initiative will run from June through August, allowing eligible families to purchase food in accordance with SNAP guidelines. While the program's funding details remain unclear, Gordon's administration is committed to ensuring that children in Wyoming have access to nutritious food during the summer months.
Verbatim Quotes
- “While the Legislature was unwilling to make sure our young children get food throughout the summer months,” — Mark Gordon, Governor of Wyoming
- “I will not let the Biden administration weaponize summer school lunch programs to justify a new welfare program,” — Megan Degenfelder, Superintendent of Public Instruction
- “What kind of people are we if we won’t feed our kids?” — Mark Gordon, Governor of Wyoming
- “There’s an element of pride that comes when a parent can go to work, take care of their child, feed their child,” — Scott Smith, Representative, R-Lingle
This initiative reflects ongoing debates in Wyoming regarding child nutrition, government assistance, and the role of state programs in addressing food insecurity.
