Wow!

I think a lot of the anger this morning stems from a feeling that we did our part, but they did not do theirs. This is an oversimplification, but my dudes, no wonder people are like, “OK, let’s try the democratic socialist, then.”

I voted no tonight. But the next phase of Democrats’ health care affordability fight is starting. While I personally don’t believe Republicans will keep their promise to work with us on lowering health care costs, I would be thrilled to be wrong.

The average SNAP benefit per month is $177 a person. The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person. People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives. And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.

Six of my kid’s friends left for college or other adventures this year. Our street is very quiet. But this morning I heard my kid on the phone, talking with three of them in three zones across the planet. Evidently there is a daily group call. I love this so much ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I change what I’m saying about whether/when we’ll see SNAP on the cards twice a day lately, but sometimes twice an hour. I guess just keep checking.

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.

Hooray for all the victories this week. 📣 To the incoming Governors of New Jersey and Virginia! To the incoming Mayor of New York! For the school board victories against book banning across the country! Hooray for the people willing to run and stand up for our democratic institutions! 👏

Zohran Mamdani won this week in New York, and I want to say a few things about what I've learned from watching his campaign. 1. He is a brilliant communicator. 2. He builds community. 3. He won with more than a million votes! That hasn't happened since the '60s. He has a mandate! 1/ buff.ly/KpE1is2

East Side! The Providence School Board has an opening. Apply here by December 12. www.providenceri.gov/mayor/provid...

I'm looking forward to joining Karen Malcom to talk about healthcare tomorrow (Thursday) night at Temple Emanu El! Come join us! Registration here: buff.ly/jh42Jcm @protectrihealth.bsky.social

Congratulations to the next City Councilor for Ward 2 in Providence! I'm excited to get to work with jilld.bsky.social on so many issues, particularly our Providence schools. She will be a fabulous city councilor! buff.ly/WcrUyUc

ah, perhaps instead of pumping millions into endless factional infighting Dem donors could invest in making local Dem organizations genuine civic spaces that can reach people during and between elections

Here’s a fun fact: More than 1000 people have signed up at runforwhat.net to run for office since last night. 😈😈😈

#RIC beautiful sunset/moonrise. But so early!

🗳️👟🚲🚌🚗We are excited to share the responses from all five candidates running in the PVD Ward 2 Special Election! We are grateful to each of them for taking time to send responses to let voters know where they stand on issues that matter to our community! ➡️Read the responses at pvdstreets.org/vote

Ward 2: Vote for your next city councilor today! If you're Ward 2, you likely received lots of mail! But, if you're unsure if you're Ward 2, or where to vote, check vote.ri.gov Polls are open until 8 p.m. Still undecided? Here's the video from one of the candidate forums. buff.ly/2Aco236

They have the discretionary funds to fully fund snap. A RI court told them they had to use the SNAP funds set aside for this purpose (partially funding) but could also use a larger pot of discretionary funds. Once again, the feds are choosing to do the least possible.

BREAKING: The Trump administration says SNAP will be partially funded after judges’ rulings required the food aid program to continue.

Wow the cruelty knows no bounds. Also, student discounts, older shopper discounts, etc. call it a low-income discount for folks on any income based program, not just SNAP, and done.

Friday, 2 judges ordered the Trump admin to use emergency funds available to pay SNAP benefits in November. The funds will not be available to people this weekend. Stay tuned. The Trump admin could also decide to appeal because they don't seem to want people to have food? buff.ly/sgchTqR

The Secretary of State's office will be sending out notices to all registered voters. As with all notices, please open, read and follow the instructions. Which will tell you how to update your voter information, if needed. More information is here buff.ly/GvZh91X

Is the government shutdown (or anything else) hurting your budget? Or do you have a little extra to give?The Mount Hope Community Center has scheduled times to pick up some food (bring your own bags) or to donate food. You can also donate money on their website. buff.ly/hG55PbV

This is great news. So glad RI has been a part of the effort to get the Trump admin to find SNAP, as per the contingency plan. They might appeal but imagine fighting against providing people food with money you have available to do that? That’s weird, and cruel.

Political, religious, and community leaders question the handling of the Smithfield antisemitic hazing incident "...how and why [would] a school district confirm that this incident occurred, put in place appropriate discipline and an education plan, and then quietly backtrack on everything[?]"

The Rhode Island Democratic Party is discussing its platform on Wednesday. If you're a Democrat, please join the call and share your thoughts! Here is the registration link: buff.ly/rGeOu16

I had a lot to say in my latest newsletter, about antisemitism, about the government shutdown and November SNAP benefits, and lots more. Check it out here, and subscribe if you'd like my newsletters to arrive in your inbox. buff.ly/rGeOu16

With the government shutdown, there's no money for LIHEAP, the federally-funded heating assistance program for low-income households.

if you’re making it easier for someone to get an AR-15 and measles and harder to get food and healthcare you’re on the wrong fucking side

Today we distributed hundreds of stories to the RIPTA Board of how @govdanmckee.bsky.social cuts are making life miserable for riders. Continue to tell your stories and we’ll continue amplifying them! Tell your story: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

. @ripta.com is a critical piece of our infrastructure. We should stop underfunding it. We should use some of the state’s revenue which we didn’t count on this year to fund the shortfall immediately and rescind the cuts.

WELL HOW ABOUT THAT "A millionaire levy in Massachusetts has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without forcing significant high-profile departures from the state." www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

At the Governor’s Council on Behavioral Health meeting this morning, starting with an update on our state suicide prevention efforts (9-8-8 is an important hotline for ppl who want to talk or connect to mental health services).

Glad Rhode Island is doing good and collaborative public health! ❤️

Proud of my alma mater. Thank you, Pres. Paxson.

Columbia cancelled my class on race and media, and Washington Post fired me for speaking about race.. But I’m teaching (again) and speaking anyway. Behind the scenes of rehearsal for the Fall cohort of Race, Media and International Affairs. 600+ students this fall. We move! ✊🏾

Spotted in a doorway. Love businesses standing up for immigrants.

I visited the Troll in East Providence today!!! I ride by on my bike all the time but just figured out it's there! So fun!!!

A school-age child in Los Angeles has died of a rare complication from measles, years after being infected with the virus.

24 years ago at about this time I was sent out of the federal building in Harrisburg where I worked and told I couldn’t go home (to a large apartment building on the river) nor to a mall. I went to friends’ house and held their baby and then the last plane came down and I eventually went home.

People from all over are showing up for DC. This is not a moment. It’s a movement. We are united in our demands. We are all DC! #FreeDC

Stand up to the bully. Do not surrender in advance: Judge rules Trump administration cannot withhold funding from Harvard www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...

"Go to an old cemetery. See all the baby graves from before the 1950s & 60s? After that, hardly any. That's when people started vaccinating their children. If you're unsure what to do to protect your kids, the answer is literally written in stone." — Michael Okuda How quick we forget.

This is a choice. That will provide information to the rest of the country about what happens when there are no required vaccinations. How long before kids end up really sick or dead? How long until parents demand an end to the inevitable school disruptions?

9 CDC Directors going back to 1977 speak out. What RFK Jr has done to our nation’s public health system "should alarm every American." It "is unlike anything we have ever seen at the agency, and unlike anything our country has ever experienced." www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...

As we should.

1. An 18-year-old boy was kidnapped by Immigration and Customs Enforcement outside LA just days before he was to begin his senior year in high school. He was walking his dog when they came for him. www.latimes.com/california/s...

I have been noticing that the administration is saying things already happened that they want to do, but they are not done. We should not trust when they say something from their wish list has already happened and we should fight every single bad thing.

Pack the RIPTA Board Room this Thursday 8/28 at 1:30 pm!! 269 Melrose St. in Providence - reachable by RIPTA Route 20 bsky.app/profile/pvds...

Unsurprisingly, @zachwahls.bsky.social has the best chances against Joni Ernst for that senate seat in Iowa. Don't sleep on Zach Wahls. I think many folks in the political world are gonna be surprised next year when he takes that seat from the GOP, but they shouldn't have been. He's the real deal.