State lawmakers are going to have to start making difficult decisions about where they want to gain political points and where they want to do better for Ohioans. The two goals are not always reached by the same path.

Continued economic uncertainty, rising food insecurity and proposed changes at the federal level to programs such as the Community Eligibility Provision mean hundreds of thousands of students could be at even greater risk of being hungry throughout their school day (and beyond).

But a bill proposed by state Sens. Bill Blessing, R-Colerain Twp., and Kent Smith, D-Euclid, aims to do something about that. It would make school breakfast and lunch free to public and chartered nonpublic school students.

Senate Bill 109 requires the state Department of Education and Workforce to “reimburse each public and chartered nonpublic school that participates in the national school breakfast program, from funds appropriated by the general assembly for that purpose.” The same would apply to schools participating in the national school lunch program.

State funding would make up the difference between the federal free reimbursement rate and the federal reimbursement for a reduced-price breakfast or lunch AND the difference between the federal free reimbursement rate and the federal reimbursement for a paid breakfast or lunch for students who do not qualify for reduced-price meals.

According to the Ohio Capital Journal, the bill seeks an appropriation of $300 million.

“To me, this should be a no-brainer,” Blessing told the Capital Journal.

Well, not quite. Lawmakers should certainly ask questions about the need and hear from education and health experts about the importance of ensuring we are setting up our kids to succeed — both by feeding them and removing the stigma that goes along with being known as receiving free or reduced-price school meals. It should matter enough to Buckeye State lawmakers to give it careful consideration.