This morning’s newsletter. With lots of pics, from vacation and the statehouse. mailchi.mp/c354f039cce2...

Wondering how to support Minnesota? Here is a list/website with info: www.standwithminnesota.com

Watch my address on the ongoing federal presence in Minnesota: youtu.be/fGTsYXBWQgU

The House Finance Committee dedicated a 2¢ per gallon increase in the gas tax to RIPTA last year. Gov. McKee plans to fill RIPTA’s $14M budget gap for FY27, but that amount assumed the extra gas tax revenue. Tagging my state legislators: @rebeccakislak.bsky.social @meghankallman.bsky.social

The #RIHouse is getting ready to welcome the Gov for his State of the State address. I will be listening for his plan to make sure we take care of RIers, even with cuts from the fed govt. If we all pay our #FairShare we can fill some gaps in healthcare, food, and child care that RIers depend on.

Happy New Year all! I went away for a week, was mostly off-line, and I come back to a whole bunch of things that make no sense? Which is so much these days. Daycares? Govt. statements about deporting 1/3 of US? Is US starting war(s)? But also, Chicago won their S. Ct. case - no national guard.

Please only share official videos and photos. There’s a lot of folks that are taking it upon themselves to “enhance” or otherwise manipulate the images which are giving a false identity of the POI. If it’s not from official channels, it’s not worth sharing - and could be actively harmful.

Happy Hanukkah!

@govdanmckee.bsky.social said FamilyService of RI has an office open at 55 Hope St. in Providence to provide counseling and support to anyone affected by the shooting. The support line is (401) 854-6678.

The Rhode Island Blood Center’s blood supply was low before Saturday’s mass shooting at Brown University, and it is immediately stepping up blood drives to meet the need, an official said Sunday.

Last Hanukkah, Rabbi Schlanger urged people to celebrate boldly, “to be more Jewish” in the face of antisemitism. Our menorahs tonight will also be yahrzeit candles–with grief for this grievous loss and rededication to shine brighter than slaughter & hate.

We all deserve to live in a world where there are not mass shootings. I shared some thoughts about the horrific shooting at Brown in my newsletter today. mailchi.mp/cc7e195f59fc...

I’ve just started learning about this regional effort to do regional climate action. It’s pretty awful Pennsylvania has exited. And also great that a bunch of states in the northeast are banding together. Regionalization is one strong move that makes meaningful action possible!

On Aug 24, 1869, Ohio Rep. John Bingham, principal framer of the 14th amendment, gave a remarkable speech on “Equal Rights-Impartial Suffrage,” in which he said of those who sought to reject the principal of birthright citizenship, “no greater political atrocity than this can possibly be committed.”

RIDOT is gathering community feedback about possible future Rhode Island rail service planning. The Warwick session is done but there are two more sessions. Westerly on 12/10 and a virtual one 12/11. Registration for the virtual one here: vhb.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Thanks for joining me to greet voters, @sueanderbois.bsky.social! And thanks to all of the voters who are braving this less than perfect weather to cast your votes, and the poll workers who are making all of this happen. Truly grateful!

The latest evaluation of bike lane projects in Boston continues to show that if you build bike infrastructure, people will use it. Full report: www.boston.gov/sites/defaul...

DEM report: R.I. must speed up lowering carbon emissions to meet Act on Climate mandates rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/11/24/d...

ICE continues to terrorize our communities and spread fear. If you see ICE, call the AMOR deportation defense line: 401-675-1414. We will continue to fight to protect immigrants’ rights, and due process rights for all, in the courts and in the upcoming Legislative Session.

Wow!

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.