Speaker #MikeJohnson is pushing to approve the package & send it to the #Senate by Memorial Day.
#Democrats say they will fight what #House party leader #HakeemJeffries calls “this extreme & toxic bill.”
Here’s a look at what’s in & out of the #legislation so far:
#Tax cuts for individuals & businesses
States to pick up more of the tab for #FoodAssistance
New work requirements for #Medicaid
House Republicans are overhauling SNAP, targeting dependent child definitions and work requirements. This proposal alters the age limit for dependents from under 18 to under 7, risking food aid for millions. Furthermore, it raises the work eligibility age for adults and forms part of a $4.5 trillion tax cut scheme benefiting the wealthy. Concerns about child labor abuses arise amid relaxed protections. Read the full article for deeper insights. https://www.alternet.org/news-politics/gop-babies-7-kids/ #SNAP #RepublicanProposal #ChildDependents #FoodAssistance #SocialPrograms #TaxCuts #ChildLabor
Exclusive: #USDA, #DOGE demand #states hand over personal #data about #FoodStamp recipients
The Department of Agriculture is demanding states hand over #PersonalData of #FoodAssistance recipients — including #SocialSecurity numbers, #addresses &, in at least one state, #citizenship status, acc/to emails shared w/NPR by an ofcl who was not allowed to speak publicly.
#Trump #Musk #law #immigration #privacy #InfoSec #ConspiracyTheories #TrumpLies
https://www.npr.org/2025/05/09/nx-s1-5389952/usda-snap-doge-data-immigration
Paul Krugman sheds light on an alarming GOP budget plan in his interview with Bobby Kogan that threatens crucial assistance programs. With proposed cuts of $1.5 to $2 trillion, millions may lose Medicaid and food support, exacerbating poverty while offering tax breaks for the wealthy. The ramifications are severe and deserve public attention. Dive deeper into this critical issue here: https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/an-interview-with-bobby-kogan #PaulKrugman #BobbyKogan #GOPBudget #MedicaidCuts #FoodAssistance #TaxCuts #USPolitics #PublicPolicy
Coming up in May: Conference "Food Charity, Welfare State Transformations, and Affective Economies: Critical Engagements"
The conference examines the rapid growth of food charity institutions in Western welfare states, their increased significance, connection to welfare state changes, and the impact of affective economies on their consolidation and proliferation.
https://www.wu.ac.at/en/sozio/research/current-research/new-charity-economy/conference-may-2025
Court rules federal government cannot freeze #Maine's funding from #USDA
by WGME StaffFri, April 11th 2025 at 8:46 PM
"A court says the federal government cannot freeze Maine’s funding from the Department of Agriculture.
"This comes after the USDA announced it was freezing Maine’s funding when the state would not comply with federal #TitleIX interpretations.
"Under this new ruling, the court is granting Maine a temporary restraining order, saying the federal government must unfreeze and release federal Department of Agriculture funding back to Maine.
"That includes money for things like #SchoolNutrition and #FoodBank programs.
"The Trump administration cannot freeze or withhold funding while this restraining order is in place, and the two sides will have to meet in court, though a date has not been set.
"Maine Attorney General #AaronFrey says this temporary restraining order confirms the Trump administration did not follow the rule of law when it cut program funds that go to feed school children and vulnerable adults.
" 'This order preserves Maine’s access to certain congressionally appropriated funds by prohibiting an unlawful freeze by the administration,' Frey said. “No one in our constitutional republic is above the law, and we will continue to fight to hold this administration to account.' "
#MaineResists #SeeYouInCourt #USPol #FoodAssistance #HungerGames #TrumpIsABully
State by State Pending and recently passed #AntiProtestLaws: #Minnesota
SF 1501: Heightened penalties for protesters who block #traffic
Would heighten penalties for protesters who intentionally “interfere with” or “disrupt” traffic that is entering, exiting, or on a freeway or a roadway on airport property. Under the bill, intentional traffic disruption on freeways or airport roadways would be a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $3,000 fine. The relevant provisions are identical to HF 329 / SF 728.
Full text of bill: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF1501&ssn=0&y=2025
Status: pending
Introduced 17 Feb 2025.
Issue(s): #Traffic =Interference
SF 1363: New penalties for pipeline protesters and supporters, and protesters who block traffic
Would create new civil and criminal liability for funders and supporters of protesters who peacefully demonstrate on pipeline or other utility property. Any person or entity that "recruits, trains, aids, advises, hires, counsels, or conspires with" a person who trespasses onto a “critical public service facility, utility, or pipeline” would be civilly liable for any damages committed by the trespasser under the bill. They would also be guilty of a gross misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $3,000, if they fail to make a reasonable effort to prevent the violation. Additionally, the bill would make the person who trespasses onto the critical public service facility, utility, or pipeline strictly liable for civil damages. Similar provisions were introduced as SF 1493 in the 2023-2024 session. The bill would also make it a gross misdemeanor to obstruct traffic on a freeway or on a public road within airport property, with intent of obstructing or otherwise interfering with traffic. As written, the offense could cover protesters who even momentarily delayed cars on a freeway while demonstrating on the side of the freeway or on an overpass. Similar provisions were introduced as SF 1285/HF 1967 in the 2021-2022 session.
Full text of bill: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF1363&ssn=0&y=2025
Status: pending
Introduced 13 Feb 2025.
Issue(s): Civil Liability, #ProtestSupporters or Funders, Infrastructure, Traffic Interference, Trespass
HF 329 / SF 728: Heightened penalties for protesters who block traffic
Would heighten penalties for protesters who intentionally “interfere with” or “disrupt” traffic that is entering, exiting, or on a freeway or a roadway on airport property. Under the bill, intentional traffic disruption on freeways or airport roadways would be a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $3,000 fine. A nearly identical bill was proposed as HF 1967 / SF 1285, introduced in 2021.
Full text of bill: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?f=HF329&y=2025&ssn=0&b=house
Status: pending
Introduced 13 Feb 2025.
Issue(s): Traffic Interference
HF 367 / SF 180: New civil liability for street protesters
Would allow third parties or the government to sue protesters if they interfere with traffic on certain public roads. Under the bill, someone who intentionally “interferes with” or “obstructs” passage on any “public highway” would be civilly liable for damages and attorneys fees. Any injured person, private entity, or state or local government could bring such a lawsuit, though the bill provides that the government cannot bring both a civil suit and criminal charges for the same conduct. “Highways” in Minnesota include many two-lane roads with stop signs and stoplights. As such, protesters whose demonstration paused or delayed traffic on certain roads could face costly litigation by, for instance, a company that claimed it was “damaged” by the delay.
Full text of bill:
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF367&y=2025&ssn=0
Status: pending
Introduced 13 Feb 2025.
Issue(s): Traffic Interference
SF 708: BARRING PUBLIC BENEFITS FOR PROTEST-RELATED OFFENSES
Would broadly disqualify a person convicted of an offense during a protest from receiving #PublicAssistance. Any "offense related to the person's illegal conduct at a protest, demonstration, rally, civil unrest, or march" would disqualify the person from a range of benefits, including #FoodAssistance, education #loans and grants, and #unemployment assistance. Under the bill, a person convicted of even a misdemeanor that is deemed somehow "related" to their participation in a peaceful protest could face permanent disqualification from such benefits. The same bill was introduced as SF 935 in 2023.
Full text of bill: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF0708&ssn=0&y=2025
Status: pending
Introduced 27 Jan 2025.
Issue(s): Limit on Public Benefits
SF 702 / HF 2808: New civil immunity for drivers who hit protesters
Would shield from civil lawsuits drivers who hit street protesters in certain situations. The bill provides that anyone who unlawfully obstructs a roadway cannot sue a driver for any injury, loss, death or damage they suffered if the driver was seeking to “retreat or escape” from the roadway obstruction and believed they were in immediate danger of injury. An identical bill was introduced as SF 5500 in 2024.
Full text of bill: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF0702&ssn=0&y=2025
Status: pending
Introduced 27 Jan 2025.
Issue(s): Driver Immunity
#FirstAmendment #CriminalizingDissent
#Authoritarianism #Fascism #Clampdown #CriminalizingProtest
#CharacteristicsOfFascism #USPol #AntiProtestLaws #PipelineProtests #HeatherHeyer #UniteTheRight #DrivingDownProtestors
"Everyone deserves access to healthy food. 🍽️ At Vaccination Rewards, we’re supporting food assistance efforts to help those in need. 🌱💙
🔗 https://vaccinationrewards.org/
#FoodAssistance #EndHunger"
Street Care is fueling hope and building stronger communities through food assistance! 💙🍽️
We provide fresh meals, groceries, and clean water to those in need. With the support of our volunteers and partners, we're creating brighter futures for everyone. Together, we’re building a world where kindness and compassion thrive. 🌱✨
💙 Be part of the change: www.streetcare.us/donate
#StreetCare #FoodAssistance #FeedingHope #CommunitySupport #StrongerTogether #HopeInAction #EveryMealMatters
Ohio #Republicans introduce measure to flatten #incometax to 2.75%
Not just #DEI: Seven things to know about Ohio’s sweeping #highered bill
Ohio ‘Given Name Act’ proposes strict rules for names, #pronouns in #schools
Cuts to federal #foodassistance would devastate #Ohioans, #foodbanks that help supplement
Ohio #faithleaders advocate for #housing, #food in #statebudget
Ohio may join 19 states in trying to re-write the #USConstitution
https://flipboard.com/@dustcircle/the-state-of-ohio-news-commentary-0a0eth61y
Area governments are responding to significant alterations to the #federalworkforce, offering resources to constituents impacted by these changes. #MWCOG is supporting these efforts by listing these resources on their website. ▶️ https://www.mwcog.org/community/data-and-tools/federal-workforce-resources-and-data/
#washingtondc #workers #montgomerycouintymd #virginia #resourcepage #maryland #commuters #help #foodassistance #nowhiring
https://civicshout.com/p/tell-congress-reject-republicans-cruel-spending-bill
…this bill would make severe cuts to #foodassistance, #housing, and #education funding, leaving millions struggling to afford basic necessities. It would also slash funding for #SocialSecurity and #Medicare administration, leading to delays and disruptions in benefits that seniors and people with disabilities depend on. #Environment protections and #climateresilience efforts would be gutted, while billions of taxpayer dollars would be funneled into expanded #deportation…
So, given all the funding cuts, I'm not sure if all of these resources are actively able to help people in #Maine. Call before you visit.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program - (#TEFAP)
Search for #FoodAssistance - by County
Find a list of programs in your area:
https://www.maine.gov/dacf/ard/food-assistance/tefap/countysearch.html
#foodsecurity #Foodinsecurity #FoodCupboard #SolarPunkSunday #Community #FoodAssistance #FoodCupboards
Food Banks Mississauga cuts staff, cancels programs amid financial strain
#Mississauga #Ontario #Canada #FoodBanks #FoodInsecurity #HungerRelief #CommunitySupport #NonProfit #Poverty #Food #FoodAssistance #Donate #Business
https://the-14.com/food-banks-mississauga-cuts-staff-cancels-programs-amid-financial-strain/
@flexghost
RE
The U.S. is slashing #foodassistance, #education, and #Medicare while firing a huge chunk of the government workforce.
Where’s the money going?
That's what Sen. #ChuckGrassley wants to know too
#Grassley Says #DonaldTrump Isn't Following The Law
The Iowa Republican said the president needs to notify Congress
before firing watchdogs in charge of rooting out waste, fraud and
corruption.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/donald-trump-inspector-general-grassley_n_67ace0dbe4b0f939708cb3bb
More on #Trump’s #ExecutiveOrder to freeze federal #grants & #loans
"This order is a potential 5-alarm fire for #nonprofit organizations & the people & communities they serve. From pausing #research on cures for childhood #cancer to halting #FoodAssistance, safety from #DomesticViolence, & closing #suicide hotlines, the impact of even a short pause in funding could be devastating & cost lives,” Diane Yentel, president & CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits, said.
https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-orders-pause-all-federal-grants-loans-2025-01-28/
The new Vice Rector for Research of the University of Eastern Finland visited our department today. I presented our project "Breadline Utopias". The project explores how peopl envision a good future for food assistance and what these visions reveal about our contemporary society.
https://uefconnect.uef.fi/en/breadline-utopias
#foodassistance #utopia #sociology #theology #university #imagination
Lovely how federal agencies (while still under the direction of the feckless Democrats) are spending their time punishing states for giving residents too much food.
So sorry that #Oregon didn't properly check that people were completely destitute before giving them a snack.
Need help with food in the Austin/Central Texas area? Come out to one of our Mobile Food Pantry distributions for FREE food this week. Be sure to make room in your trunk before arriving.
Can't make it? Find food near you at
https://www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/get-help
Congratulations to Casey on IG! Casey has won a collection of Food Studies books for participating in our favourite article celebration!
Thank you to all who participated!
Casey found the article “Reformist, progressive, radical: The case for an inclusive alliance” by Janet Elizabeth Poppendieck compelling!
https://canadianfoodstudies.uwaterloo.ca/index.php/cfs/article/view/534
#FoodAssistance #FoodMovement #FoodRegime #FoodSecurity #FoodJustice #FoodSovereignty #SNAP #NationalSchoolLunchProgram #GoodFoodPurchasingProgram
