Arkansas, Indiana Request Soda, Candy Be Removed From Food Stamps

Arkansas and Indiana each submitted waivers on April 15 seeking federal approval to remove soft drinks and candy from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Indiana Gov. Mike Braun—both Republicans—made the announcements separately, but both framed the efforts as the first steps in broader reforms to reduce chronic disease and improve the use of taxpayer funds in federal food assistance programs. West Virginia and Utah have also begun the process of pursuing similar changes to their SNAP programs, and other states have brought up legislation and discussed similar measures....