COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine announced on Wednesday he plans to sign an executive order that he says would provide up to $25 million in food assistance as the continued federal government shutdown threatens to affect Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits.

The governor said the executive order will direct the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to give $7 million to various food banks across the state and up to $18 million in emergency relief benefits. The benefits would go to help more than 63,000 Ohioans, including more than 57,000 children, who are at or below 50% of the federal poverty level.

According to a release from DeWine’s office, the Ohio Senate was forced to protect the Budget Stabilization Fund, also known as the state’s “rainy day” fund, fr

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