I’m often surprised how weak US party leaders are (Trump being a notable exception). If you crossed your leadership in a crucial vote in the UK, you’d probably be kicked out of the party. Here, Schumer just says he’s disappointed. www.axios.com/2025/11/10/s...

Who amongst us hasn't thought about giving up work for that sweet $176 a month in SNAP benefits?

"Everyone for themselves" is the conservative economic mantra, and it fails people time and again. Unions negotiate better wages than individuals. Social Security offers more retirement security than individual saving. And group health insurance is better than going it alone #mepolitics

With talk of absurd GOP proposals to replace Marketplace tax credits with HSA contributions & require people to buy health services directly, this is just like a Project 2025 proposal to eliminate #Medicaid coverage & convert funding to vouchers/HSA contributions: ccf.georgetown.edu/2024/06/17/p...

Good news as SNAP benefits in Maine have begun arriving on people's cards on schedule #mepolitics

Urban #research shows that expanded #SNAP work requirements could lead to 2.7 million #families—and 5.4 million people—losing some or all of their monthly SNAP benefits. On average, affected families would see a monthly loss of $254 in food assistance. Learn more. https://urbn.is/4hMj2Xj

I regularly get unsolicited invites to political fundraising events in my work email. I think it’s because I’m a registered lobbyist, which is a little troubling. Anyway, this one was particularly fun #mepolitics

I can’t help but think Senate Democrats managed to prove folks like Jared Golden right, when he said the shutdown was just performative for the base and that it wasn’t an effective way to protect health care.

I want state lawmakers to stop staying “states can’t afford to pay SNAP on their own.” We need to start preparing for eventualities like this. $360 million a year would be a big lift for Maine but it’s not actually impossible. We have to fight for progressive revenue #mepolitics

This is an absolutely insane administrative process. Within the space of a week, states were told by judges/White House *no SNAP benefits *half benefits *full benefits *pause provision of benefits. Result is chaos, uncertainty, and uneven access to benefits depending on where people live.

I was just wondering the other day why Trump doesn’t use different tariff authority instead of IEEPA, and it seems that may be the backup plan.

This would be terrible on a number of levels. If you’re dividing the existing ACA subsidies between everyone, people don’t get enough to buy insurance. Healthier people will keep the $ instead of buying insurance, driving prices up for everyone else.

Jeez. It’s not over yet after all #mepolitics

This should be a priority

A relatively simple fix would be for the legislature to amend the rainy day statute. Give the Governor limited authority to draw from it when the federal government is shut down, to replace critical federal funding #mepolitics

If this truly is the end of this debacle, Maine lawmakers should reflect on how unprepared the state was to handle the withdrawal of critical federal funds. This won’t be the last long shutdown and we need to set up better contingencies. #mepolitics

This all still very chaotic, but fingers crossed…

New guidance from USDA says they will administer full SNAP benefits. However, less than 45 minutes ago, the Attorney General tweeted about asking for a stay on the order forcing full benefits. Seems weird to send this guidance if they’re hoping for a stay by 4pm.

Ok so I guess everything is just confusing and chaotic. Some states (like California) sent the request to the federal vendor for the usual benefit, and got it. At the same time, federal lawyers are appealing the ruling in court. So the feds are totally in disarray.

President Trump is fighting hard to avoid feeding people. Amazing.

I don't understand this take. $260,000 is more than 4 times the median wage in the NYC metro area. It probably puts the mayor in the top 5% of wage earners, if not higher. How much more incentive do you need to serve and not be corrupt (as the argument sometimes goes)?

I understand the sentiment, but it’s worth remembering the scale. If all of Maine’s delegation gave up their salary for a year, it would be equivalent to $4 for each person receiving SNAP in the state.

This is particularly confusing since I’ve read that Trump is appealing the ruling(!) and I didn’t think USDA had even sent funds to states yet, let alone given states time to load the money onto cards. Unless CA is using state money?

Bradstreet won election by 199 votes #mepolitics

Over on FB, Senator Dick Bradstreet and Gov LePage are celebrating their food drive. But one table of canned goods won’t come close to helping all 6,000 of Bradstreet’s constituents who will get partial or no SNAP because of the president. It can’t substitute for federal/state help #mepolitics

2 weeks ago, Maine Republican leadership was clamoring for a special session to enact $100 million/year in tax cuts. But when asked to provide $29 million to feed hungry Mainers, suddenly there’s no need for one. It’s clear where their priorities lie #mepolitics

Very good news - let's hope the government complies this time.

I'm fascinated by how closely these results on ostensibly non-partisan ballot question are essentially mirror images of each other. Sadly, I don't think we have any exit polls, but it seems there was very little ticket-splitting on these votes. #mepolitics

If you really wanted to Make America Healthy Again, you’d release SNAP funds that help 42 million people live on more than just rice and beans. And then you’d expand the program so that it helps more people buy fresh fruits and vegetables instead of having to buy cheaper processed foods.

Immigrants with work permits are vital to our economy—in health care, agriculture, education, and beyond. The Trump Administration ended automatic renewals for these workers, forcing thousands out of jobs while USCIS drowns in backlogs. It's totally ridiculous—and needlessly cruel.

Wow, huge credit to Katie and the rest of the nutrition team at @centeronbudget.bsky.social. USDA has now issued revised numbers because CBPP caught them either accidentally or intentionally making huge errors that would severely underfund SNAP, in direct violation of court orders.

Maybe we should organize a global appeal? “For just $2 a meal*, you can feed an American child abandoned by their government?”

Low-income families will see even deeper #SNAP cuts because the Administration plans to release only two-thirds of the funds it says are available, shortchanging millions who rely on benefits to afford food. More from @katiebergh.bsky.social: www.cbpp.org/blog/adminis...

Could fold CD2 in as well now!

Amid tariff uncertainty and a slowing job market, families face rising costs while cuts to #Medicaid and #SNAP mean less help affording care and groceries in an economy already losing steam. www.cbpp.org/blog/a-weake...

Quite the bombshell. On a human level, I can empathize with his feeling that serving in a dysfunctional Congress isn't worth the risks it exposes his family to, nor the time away from his kids. www.bangordailynews.com/2025/11/05/o...

Important thread - even after losing in court, the Trump admin is only planning to spend a portion of the money it’s supposed to. Most people will get less than half their benefits. Millions will be nothing or $12 (not a typo). State action remains imperative #mepolitics

It's surely untenable for school districts to be allowed to choose whether or not to abide by the Maine Human Rights Act - but that seems to be where we are? If Gov Mills wants to campaign on standing up for trans kids, she needs to act #mepolitics www.pressherald.com/2025/11/05/m...

Do…do they know what their record is on health care?

Join us TOMORROW, Nov 5 for a lunchtime webinar on the moral and economic case for land return in Maine. Featuring special guests sharing their perspective as Wabanaki citizens and leaders — and as people working to make land return a reality. Register here: bit.ly/sovereignty-... #mepolitics

State House Districts with the most SNAP users #mepolitics 93, 94, 95, 96 (Lewiston) = 2,500-2,600 each 70 (Skowhegan) = 2,400 7 (Houlton+) = 2,400 78 (Bethel+) = 2,200 4 (Caribou+) = 2,100 11 (Machias+) = 2,000 142, 143 (Sanford) = 1,900 each

In case you’re wondering #mepolitics 11% of Mainers in Democratic House districts use SNAP vs 14% in Republican Districts. 55% of SNAP recipients have a Republican State Rep, while 44% have a Democratic one

Find out how many Mainers use SNAP in each State House or State Senate district #mepolitics www.mecep.org/blog/how-man...

Don't wait for Republican leadership. Work with individual Republicans who have hundreds or thousands of vulnerable constituents at risk. Make opponents of food security take votes on the record against it. #mepolitics www.mainepublic.org/politics/202...

The President is an increasingly unreliable and erratic actor. This is opposite of what his people told the courts yesterday. This kind of uncertainly over necessities like food makes it more important than ever that states step up #mepolitics

Portland, Maine voters will decide today on increasing the minimum wage to $19 per hour. Here's what that could mean for the city's workers and its economy #mepolitics www.mecep.org/blog/the-imp...

Trump continues to play games with food for millions.

Two important statewide questions being decided today in Maine. Don’t forget to vote #mepolitics mainemorningstar.com/2025/11/04/i...

I've seen some say SNAP should be abolished and people should turn to the church for help. In 2021, @propublica.org showed how Utah's welfare system was so intertwined with the LDS Church that bishops often decided who got aid. Some denied help unless a person attended church or got baptized.