Trump’s ‘beautiful’ new law means states have big decisions this year on Medicaid, SNAP and taxes

By GEOFF MULVIHILL and DAVID A. LIEB

States have major decisions to make in 2026 about the social safety net and taxes in the aftermath of a sweeping law President Donald Trump signed last year.

The federal government is shifting more responsibilities to states over the next few years, and states must prepare for greater costs in the Medicaid health care and SNAP food aid programs. They also must decide whether to offset upcoming federal funding cuts with state tax dollars. And they...