Public News Service

Activists who believe Tesla CEO #ElonMusk is overstepping his role in the Trump administration will protest today at a Tesla dealership in New Mexico's Sandoval County. Similar protests have taken place in Albuquerque and at #Tesla dealerships nationwide. Musk, the world's richest person, leads the so-called?Department of Government Efficiency, tasked with saving money by firing federal employees and dismantling agencies. @Terry Eisenbart with Sandoval County?Indivisible?said many who have lost their jobs live in #NewMexico. "It is time to stand up and fight back with whatever is at our disposal," Eisenbart contended. "Peaceful protests are a huge way to gain the traction of the people that want to express themselves but don't even know where to begin." Despite his previous vilification of electric vehicles, President Donald Trump went to bat for Musk's beleaguered car company on Tuesday. He showcased five Tesla vehicles in front of the White House and announced he had purchased one for $80,000. Musk donated $270 million to Trump's 2024 election campaign. Eisenbart is especially concerned federal services she believes Americans want and need are being eliminated. She cited the closure of the Consumer Federal Protection Bureau on Feb. 8, which, Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, called a "woke" and "weaponized" agency. Eisenbart stressed the closure hits close to home. "The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, when they shut it down the other day -- my sister has personally benefited by that -- and it made the whole difference in her life, by the actions that organization took on her behalf," Eisenbart explained. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., was instrumental in establishing the independent agency after the financial crisis of 2007 and 2008. DOGE claims total government savings of at least $105 billion so far but news agencies have not been able to verify the savings.

Educators are expressing outrage at the?mass layoffs?of half the U.S. Department of Education workforce. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said the move reflects the department's commitment to efficiency and accountability. Carl Williams, a vice president with the American Federation of Teachers, represents classified employees in Lawndale. He worries this will lead to cuts in special education funds - and since the kids still need services - districts will have to find the money somewhere. "If we're not getting the funds that we usually would get from the Department of Education, that would leave districts to figure out the funding on their own, and in doing that, it likely will result in layoffs and a reduction of services for our neediest students," he explained. Williams added that any layoffs could have an outsized effect on classified employees like special education aides, bus drivers, secretaries, custodians, and food service workers. McMahon pledged that the department would continue to deliver on "formula funding, student loans, Pell Grants, funding for special needs students, and competitive grantmaking." Williams said the Trump administration's cost-cutting efforts could really hurt small towns, where the school district is often the largest employer. "The Department of Education is a crucial part of educating America's students, and we cannot do this work with less money," he continued. "My mother would call this cutting off our nose to spite our face." The layoffs will also eliminate 7 of the 12 regional offices responsible for investigating claims of civil rights violations. Disclosure: California Federation of Teachers contributes to our fund for reporting on Civic Engagement, Early Childhood Education, Education, Social Justice. #Trump #Education #Layoffs

#Kentucky lawmakers are considering a?bill?that would ban the state from enforcing existing worker safety laws that are above and beyond federal standards. Critics say it would weaken workers' rights and put employees in manufacturing, construction, mining, and other dangerous jobs at higher risk. According to state?data?from 2022, Kentucky's workplace injury and death rates are higher than the national average. Dustin Reinstedler, Kentucky AFL-CIO president, said Kentucky needs state laws that match industry-specific needs and challenges. "There's so many things like coal mining, the bourbon industry, some of the heavy metals, aluminum and steel manufacturing that we have here that really aren't in other states," he explained. If passed, House Bill 398 would eliminate the right of a worker's family, clergy, or attorney to request a safety inspection - a right that exists in all other states. It would also shorten the time for an employee to file a worker safety complaint and for the state to issue employer citations. Supporters of the measure say matching worker safety regulations to the standards set by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration will spur economic development. But Reinstedler added that the Commonwealth is already experiencing record economic growth, jobs and capital investment. "There's this kind of like false information flying around that somehow there are companies out there saying, "Oh gosh, I wish Kentucky would relax their rules against worker safety so we could come there and do business,"', when we know the facts, the data is there," he continued. Jason Bailey, executive director of the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy?explained?that the bill would also threaten the state with financial penalties for enforcing safety laws. "Making the state pay court costs, and that really will intimidate the state from issuing citations and incentivize employers to contest them," he said. Kentucky's maximum penalty for workplace safety?violations?is $7,000 and can hit $70,000 for willful or repeated violations, while OSHA's is more than $16,000 per violation and $161,000 for willful or repeated violations.

#Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's budget includes a?$50 million investment?for repairs to older homes. A grassroots group supports the idea but said the dollar amount falls short of the need. Pennsylvania Stands Up reported more than half of rural homes and?73% of urban homes?are over 50 years old, many in flood-prone areas. Mary Collier, communications organizer for the group, said the funds would help residents make climate-resistant repairs and cut utility bills. But she noted a similar home repair program with $125 million quickly ran out due to high demand. "There's like, still tens of thousands of families on waitlists for this program," Collier pointed out. "The proposed $50 million this time around is really great but we know it's not enough to meet the needs of the housing crisis we're facing, because that money was really needed three years ago and you know, since then, those waitlists have continued to grow." A housing study found more than a?quarter of Pennsylvanians?live in the state's 48 rural counties, where they face major challenges with housing quality, affordability and mortgage access which would allow for homeownership and making repairs. The General Assembly must vote on the budget by June 30. Collier added a 2022 report revealed one in four homes in the state was built?before 1940. Older homes can pose significant health and safety risks, from mold and lead, to structural instability. "One in four Pennsylvanians said that their homes are in need of critical repairs, and we know a third of Americans say that they can't even afford, like, a $400 emergency, let alone a major repair on their home," Collier stressed. "This funding is really important to keep Pennsylvania families safe in their homes." Another line item in the budget is an additional $10 million for the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund, to build or rehabilitate affordable housing. Collier said it would increase the funding to $110 million for affordable housing units by the end of 2028.

Organizations working to fight food insecurity across #Arkansas support two bills before state legislators. The?Grocery Tax Relief Act?would repeal the state grocery tax and the?Good Neighbor Act?would expand protections for food donors and food banks. Brian Burton, CEO of?Arkansas Foodbank, said several recent bills passed by lawmakers have helped Arkansans who cannot afford food. "Expanding school lunch programs and raising the asset limit on SNAP Benefits," Burton outlined. "And in the current session they passed the universal Free School Breakfast bill." Arkansas is one of only 10 states in the country with a grocery tax. It generates approximately $10 million a year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has ranked Arkansas number one for?food insecurity?for the last two years. If the bills are passed, they will go into effect in January 2026. Burton noted they are monitoring possible changes in federal funding because of cuts by the Trump Administration. "When they talk about cutting the federal budget, they are hurting low-resource states like Arkansas because we are very dependent on all the myriads of federal government programs," Burton pointed out. "Some of which have been funded for decades." Nearly 11,000 more Arkansans are struggling to make ends meet than in 2022. It's estimated nearly 47% of Arkansas households are living paycheck to paycheck. Burton stressed those residents will be affected the most by any changes. "Programs like SNAP and WIC, the Farm bill, these are mission-critical and central to the fight against food insecurity," Burton contended. "In fact, 80% of food insecurity is solved through some form of federal nutrition program."

The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (#SNAP) is on the chopping block in Congress. A House?budget resolution?would cut $30 billion in SNAP funding over the next nine years, a 20% cut to the program. Salaam Bhatti, Esq., SNAP director for the Food Research & Action Center, said reducing the benefits would likely jeopardize rural local businesses and further strain the?278,000 West Virginians?who rely on it to keep food on the table. "In 2023, SNAP brought a monthly average of over $41 million to the state, which is an incredible economic boost," Bhatti pointed out. Critics of SNAP said the program is bloated and is used to support major corporations selling highly processed products. According to the right-leaning CATO Institute, federal spending on SNAP jumped from $63 billion in 2019 to?$145 billion?in 2023, and its research indicated almost one-quarter of purchases by SNAP households are for junk food. Supporters of SNAP said the program helps low-income populations more likely to face financial burdens as grocery prices climb. More than?one in eight Latino adults?have gone into debt to feed their families, according to the group UNIDOS U.S. Bhatti added many people may be surprised at the number of businesses counting on SNAP dollars to stay afloat. "We know that over 2,100 retailers in West Virginia -- local businesses, convenience stores, grocery stores -- are benefiting from SNAP as well," Bhatti pointed out. "They redeemed over a total of $730 million in 2023." Last year, #WestVirginia SNAP households of four received up to $1,248 dollars a month. Bhatti argued more people will go hungry, or skip needed medications and other expenses, if they no longer can rely on the program. "Over 10,000 veterans are participating in SNAP, and 43% of SNAP households have children," Bhatti added. In 2023, 69% of SNAP households in West Virginia included someone who is working, according to data from the Food Research and Action Center.

Gov. Bill Lee has opted #Tennessee out of the federal?Summer EBT program?and nonprofit groups in the state said they will work to fill the gap for families in need. Summer EBT provides $40 a month per child for food assistance when kids are out of school. Ella Clay, executive director of the nonprofit?Healing Minds and Souls, said losing $75 million in federal aid is disappointing. Her organization serves 500 meals a week and provides resources to families in the 37208 ZIP code, an area with high food insecurity and significant challenges for residents. "We have food," Clay pointed out. "We have produce, vegetables, fruits, personal hygiene products, products for your household, and various products even for children. And so, those are the ways that we're here to serve our community." Nearly 700,000 children benefited from the Summer EBT program last year in Tennessee. Gov. Lee has instead announced a state-funded alternative to provide a one-time,?$120 payment?to eligible families in underserved counties. C.J. Sentell, CEO of?The Nashville Food Project, said despite the proposed federal budget cuts, his organization vows to keep providing summer meals for kids and continue participating in the?Child and Adult Care Food Program?and the Summer Food Service Program. Sentell noted they are working with 50 partners to deliver nearly 7,000 meals weekly from two kitchens. "We work with those organizations to enhance their programming with food," Sentell explained. "All of our work is done in partnership with other organizations and 65% of our meals are going to children and seniors, so, think after-school programs, senior adult programs." He added they work with partners and use federal programs to reduce costs, providing food to child care centers like Saint Luke's Community House and have expanded partnerships in the past year to reach more people with food and curb costs.

As nationwide deportation efforts continue,?new research?examined the labor market of a past president to help forecast what could happen if President Donald Trump follows through on his plans. The Obama administration deported?more than 3 million people. Trump said he wants to deport more, to increase jobs for U.S. citizens. A new report from the University of Colorado said U.S. presidents have a long history of blaming immigration for the country's economic troubles, even when research shows the opposite. Chloe East, associate professor of economics at the University of Colorado in Denver, said mass deportations and raids incite fear and leave vacant jobs U.S. citizens are unlikely to fill. "We really don't see this substitution between unauthorized immigrants and U.S.-born workers in the way that we're promised we will by politicians," East reported. "In fact, the effect sort of goes even beyond this lack of substitution." She noted the industries most likely to be affected are construction, agriculture, manufacturing and?service jobs, with positions tending to be lower paid, tougher or more dangerous. East argued keeping such jobs filled actually helps to increase U.S. labor opportunities. About 17% of Illinois workers are immigrants, including some 55,000 seasonal farmworkers. Inconsistencies about who exactly is being targeted by ICE agents raises concerns about racial profiling. A leaked memo shows efforts have pivoted from focusing on people committing crimes to?migrant familiesand unaccompanied children with no criminal histories. Migrant workers make up about 20% of the U.S. workforce. East observed it is striking to see history repeating itself. "Whether we're looking a few decades back or a hundred years back, the results are very consistent and very clear that mass deportations are not the solution to any economic troubles," East explained. While deportation data since Trump took office has yet to be released, the majority of news releases on the?ICE website?involve people from Mexico or Latin America. ICE said it will release updated deportation data every quarter. #economics #economy #immigration

New research?finds Black working women still face rampant discrimination in the Golden State. The California Black Women's Collective Empowerment Institute commissioned a survey of 452 Black women. Almost 60% reported experiencing workplace racism or gender discrimination in the past year. Shakari Byerly, Ph.D., managing partner of EVITARUS Research, conducted the survey. "Nearly half feel marginalized, excluded from or passed over for work opportunities," Byerly reported. "Only 16% strongly agree that opportunities for leadership and or advancement in their workplace are available to them." Among respondents, 59% reported being somewhat satisfied in their job but 38% said they are unsatisfied, with company leadership and work culture to blame. They also cited microaggressions, wage disparities and lack of mentoring or access to leadership roles. Byerly noted one-third of those surveyed said they do not feel supported by their supervisor at work. "They were subjected to stereotypes, were talked down to, or subjected to disrespectful communication at work," Byerly explained. "And 38% say they were accused or thought of as an angry Black woman." The report called on the state to enforce pay equity, expand antidiscrimination protections and ensure workplace accountability. They called on companies to invest in Black women's leadership development and eliminate bias in workplace culture. #Blackwomen #discrimination

Farmers and ranchers in #Arkansas are voicing frustration and concern surrounding funding freezes and layoffs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Because of the changes, many services such as the Conservation Stewardship Program and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, are paused and under review by the Trump administration. Adam Chappel is a fourth-generation cotton, corn, soybean and rice farmer from Cotton Plant and said the last few weeks have been stressful. "When we don't know if we're getting reimbursed for things that we've already done," said Chappel. "Bankers don't like that. And it's already a high-risk environment. Then when you have all that uncertainty it's hard to get lenders onboard. And the mental aspect of it has taken a tremendous toll this last three months. " Many farmers made upgrades and improvements to their operations after entering into reimbursement based programs with the federal government. Now they don't know if they will get their money back. Almost 6,000 USDA workers fired in February are back on the job, but that's not the case for all agencies. Chappel said the local?Natural Resource Conservation Service?office is still operating with a skeleton crew. "We were short to start with, so, what does that mean about payment processing?" said Chappel. "When they do release the money, how are we going to get it with 40 less employees when we didn't have enough to start with? And then new contracts that we've already signed up for to get scored for the upcoming season. We can't get any answer on any of those. They say they've got no guidance." Mike Lavender, policy director with the?National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, said farmers and ranchers across the country say the freezes and executive orders are wreaking havoc on their livelihoods. "There's never a good time for uncertainty, but this is a particularly bad time," said Lavender, "and we're seeing that across agricultural conservation, energy efficiency programs as well as other programs that invest in infrastructure and supply chains. We're also seeing contract terminations and modification request largely on the basis of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Executive Order." #farmers #ranchers