SALT LAKE CITY — The federal government shutdown , now the longest in history, has stalled federal funding for SNAP food stamp payments since the beginning of November, leaving families who use it in limbo. Utah Democrats are now asking state leaders to use the state’s rainy-day fund to help.

Earlier this week, the Trump administration said in court filings it would use contingency funds to provide partial SNAP benefits, but that’s only expected to cover about half of each eligible household’s benefits this month.

Therefore, the Utah Senate Democratic Caucus asked Gov. Spencer Cox, Senate President Stuart Adams, and Speaker of the House Mike Schultz, to call lawmakers into a special session.

The request came from Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, Sen. Karen Kwan, Sen. Jen Plumb, Sen. K

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