House Republican Leader Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, on Wednesday issued the following statement after the governor and Democrat-controlled Legislature repealed Michigan’s asset test to determine eligibility for food assistance:

“Michiganders are always ready to support people who need temporary help to get back up on their feet, but Democrats are turning the food assistance program on its head. Without this test measuring people’s wealth, even lottery winners and other millionaires could rake in food stamps paid for with our tax dollars that should be going to those who truly need help feeding their families. Offering food stamps to the rich does nothing to put food on the tables of Michiganders in need.”

Michigan’s asset test helps determine the need and eligibility of applicants for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to ensure food stamps go to people who need them. The test was put in place after it was discovered a Bay County man continued to receive food stamps despite winning $2 million in the lottery. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill 35, which repeals Michigan’s law requiring the need-based asset test.