The bill would extend tax cuts from 2017 and would include Trump’s 2024 campaign promises not to tax tips, Social Security, and car interest loans. There would also be a larger deduction, $32,000 for couples, a boost to the Child Tax Credit, and a $30,000 cap on state and local tax deductions.
“That’s offset by $1.9 trillion in savings largely from the rollback of green energy tax credits, for a net tally of $3.7 trillion in costs over the decade, according to the most recent estimates — along with billions more in savings from the safety net cuts,” AP reports.
Oh, and there would be some $350 billion to fund Trump’s mass deportation plans and the Pentagon.
And to be able to do this, Republicans are looking to cut some $800 billion over the next 10 years to the Medicaid health care program, “which is used by 70 million Americans. These Medicaid cuts would result in more than 13 million people losing their health insurance. $290 billion to food aid in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP; and others,” AP reports.
Speaker Mike Johnson has already claimed that he wants this bill pushed through by Memorial Day, sending it to the Senate, where Republicans are working on their own version. Johnson has been given the reins to create a bill that can get the 218 votes needed to pass the House, but good luck with that.
The bill was blacked in the House Budget Committee last week, when four conservative Republican House members voted against the bill, because it did not cut the social safety net fast enough and soon enough to suit them. In a special Sunday night session, these representatives were promised additional unspecified concessions and voted the bill out of committee.
Senators of rural states, many of them are Republicans are concerned that the bill, as it stands, would leave many of their constituents without healthcare, or forced to pay more.
“Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) said he’s fine with the new work requirements and antifraud provisions that House Republicans have proposed for Medicaid, but he raised concerns about their “cost-sharing” proposal, which he said would make ‘beneficiaries pay more.’”
“These are working people in particular who are going to have to pay more,” Hawley told the Hill. “The provider tax in particular, that could have a big impact in my state and lead to reduced coverage, so I’ve got some concerns. I think we need to look really, really carefully at that. I continue to maintain my position that we should not be cutting Medicaid benefits,” he said.
The court ruled Alabama’s map violates the Voting Rights Act, ensuring continued use of a court-ordered map enabling two Black Congressional representatives.
By Bill Britt, Editor-in-Chief, Alabama Political Reporters
In a sweeping rebuke of racial gerrymandering, a federal court has struck down Alabama’s 2023 congressional map, ruling that it was enacted with “intentional racial discrimination” and violates both the Voting Rights Act and the U.S. Constitution. The decision clears the way for continued use of a court-ordered map that, for the first time in state history, enabled two Black lawmakers to win seats in Congress, in November 2024. The ruling follows a full trial in Milligan v. Allen, where judges concluded that Alabama lawmakers not only failed to correct the unlawful dilution of Black voting strength, but deliberately defied court orders to do so. The court found that the Legislature’s actions amounted to “a strategic attempt to checkmate the injunction that ordered it.”
Historic Breakthrough in Representation The remedial map adopted for the 2024 cycle — drawn by a special master appointed by the court — culminated in a historic breakthrough: Alabama voters elected two Black representatives to Congress for the first time ever. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-AL-7, was re-elected, and U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, D-AL-2, won his seat in a newly redrawn district designed to comply with the Voting Rights Act. “This win is a testament to the dedication and persistence of many generations of Black Alabamians who pursued political equality at great cost,” the plaintiffs said in a joint statement, emphasizing that “we know that all Alabamians will benefit from today’s victory, just as we have benefited from the work of others.” The case was first filed in 2021, on behalf of Evan Milligan, Khadidah Stone, Shalela Dowdy, Letetia Jackson, Greater Birmingham Ministries and the Alabama State Conference of the NAACP. The plaintiffs were represented by the Legal Defense Fund, ACLU, ACLU of Alabama, and the Birmingham-based firm Wiggins, Childs, Pantazis, Fisher and Goldfarb. U.S Rep. Terri Sewell offered her own insight on the federal district court’s ruling, saying, “In yet another victory for fair representation, a federal court has once again ruled unequivocally that the State of Alabama’s 2023 congressional map illegally dilutes the power of African American voters. Despite the state’s years-long legal battle to undo our progress, this ruling ensures that Black voters in Alabama will continue to have not one but two congressional districts where we can elect a candidate of our choice. Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act is indeed alive and enforceable!”
Rep. Shomari C. Figures, D-AL-02, said the ruling reinforces the importance of equitable representation for Black voters. “The court ruled that the congressional districts in the state of Alabama were drawn in a way that did not allow Black people to have fair representation. The U.S. Supreme Court has already agreed once with the earlier ruling in this case, and it is my hope that this ruling puts the issue to rest because fair representation is central to the foundation of our democracy.” Court Unmoved by Alabama’s “Defiance” In its 600-page opinion, the three-judge panel concluded that the 2023 map, like its 2021 predecessor, unlawfully diluted Black voting strength by confining Black voters to a single majority-Black district despite clear evidence that two opportunity districts were both necessary and achievable. “We cannot understand the 2023 Plan as anything other than an intentional effort to dilute Black Alabamians’ voting strength and evade the unambiguous requirements of court orders standing in the way,” the judges wrote. They found that Alabama’s Black population is “sufficiently numerous and geographically compact” to form two such districts, and that voting in the state remains “intensely racially polarized.” The court cited trial testimony in which the state’s own legal team admitted that the Legislature “may have been hoping” to force another Supreme Court review by refusing to comply. The judges rejected this maneuver, writing that “if this record is insufficient to rebut the strong presumption of legislative good faith, then we doubt that the presumption is ever rebuttable.” A Legacy of Resistance — and a New Chapter Deuel Ross, deputy director of litigation at LDF, stated that Alabama’s “unprecedented defiance of the Supreme Court and the lower court orders harkens back to the darkest days of American history.” He called the ruling “a reaffirmation of the rule of law and the importance of protecting the fundamental right to vote.” Laurel Hattix, senior attorney at the ACLU of Alabama, said the decision was “an overdue acknowledgment of Alabama lawmakers’ persistent attempts to shut out Black voters from the electoral process,” and added, “for decades, Black Alabamians have organized and fought for not just their voting rights, but the voting rights of all Americans.” Davin Rosborough, deputy director of the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project, underscored the broader implications: “The court has once again recognized that in order to comply with the Voting Rights Act, it is essential that Alabama’s congressional map have two opportunity districts for Black voters.” Preclearance Request and What Comes Next The court permanently enjoined Secretary of State Wes Allen from using the invalidated 2023 map in future elections and ordered continued use of the remedial map through the remainder of the decade. A status conference is scheduled for May 28, 2025, to determine next steps. The plaintiffs have also requested that Alabama be placed back under federal “preclearance,” a provision of the Voting Rights Act that would require the state to obtain federal approval before implementing any new congressional map — a safeguard typically reserved for jurisdictions with a history of repeated violations. In its concluding remarks, the court warned that Alabama’s actions “fly in the face” of its own claim that it no longer needs federal oversight, writing: “We are troubled by the State’s view that even if we enter judgment for the Plaintiffs after a full trial, the State remains free to make the same checkmate move yet again — and again, and again, and again.” As the case now enters a new phase, the ruling stands as one of the most forceful judicial rebukes of racial discrimination in redistricting in recent memory — and a landmark moment for the future of representation in Alabama.
Shown above are representatives of Greene County groups awarded BBCF community and arts grants. At far left are: Dr. Carol P. Zippert, a BBCF Founder; Ms. Darlene Robinson, BBCF Greene County Board Member and Ms. Felecia Lucky, BBCF President. BBCF presents grant award to the Society of Folk Arts & Culture which is sponsoring the 50th Celebration of the Black Belt Folk Roots Festival, August 23-24, 2025 in Eutaw, AL.
L to R: Felecia Lucky, BCF President; Darlene Robinson, BBCF Board Member, Carol P. Zippert, Festival Coordinator and Aaron Head, BBCF Arts Coordinator.
The Black Belt Community Foundation (BBCF) awarded $344,447.20 to 141 community and arts projects across its 12 county service area in the Alabama Black Belt Region, including Bullock, Choctaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Perry, Pickens, Sumter and Wilcox. The presentations were made at its 2025 Arts and Community Grant Ceremony held Saturday, May 3, 2025 at Wallace Community College Selma. “As we continue to celebrate BBCF’s 20th anniversary through May, the Black Belt Community Foundation is proud to award these funds in 141 different grants to community and arts organizations across the 12 counties we serve,” said BBCF President Felecia Lucky. Greene County received 13 grants for community and arts projects, in the amount of $41,263.24, awarded to the following organizations: Alabama Art Casting, Boligee Senior Center, Boss Ties LLC, Broader Horizons, Bundle of Joy Praise Team, Eutaw Elderly Village Inc., Greene County Human Rights Commission, Mount Pleasant Home Protection Society, Operations Taking Back Our Community (TBOC), Release the Earth, Society of Folk Arts and Culture (Black Belt Festival Grant,) United Purpose Inc. The 2025 arts grants, including the Black Belt Folk Roots Festival, totaled $14,125; community grants totaled $27, 138.24. Ms. Darlene Robinson, BBCF board member representing Greene County, stated that each of the 12 counties has a group of volunteers, known as Community Associates, who raise funds for the Foundation and these resources, which receive a percentage match from BBCF, are allocated in grants to the respective county. “We hold a lot of fundraising activities in Greene County, but that money can only be spent in Greene County through grants,” she said. “We continue our focus on empowering local initiatives by first listening and responding to the very needs voiced by the communities themselves — all while fostering growth and impacting the entire Black Belt region,” stated President Lucky.
Federal District Judge Ether Salas, whose son was killed
By Evann Gastaldo, Newser
Federal judges have been receiving hundreds of unwanted pizza deliveries since February, and no, it’s not fueled by random acts of kindness. The judges say the pizza deliveries are threatening, and largely go to judges overseeing lawsuits that are challenging Trump administration policies, the Washington Post reports. Some have even been delivered to relatives of judges, and in a particularly chilling move, some have been placed in the name of Daniel Anderl—the son of US District Judge Esther Salas, who was fatally shot at the family’s New Jersey home in 2020 by an attorney masquerading as a FedEx delivery person. Senate Democrats are calling on the FBI and the Department of Justice to investigate the deliveries, Fox News reports.
“What does that say to those judges?” Salas said in a television interview last month, per NJ.com. “It says I know where you live. I know where your kids live. And do you want to end up like Judge Salas? Do you want to end up like her son? These are unprecedented attacks on judicial officers.” One US Circuit judge who spoke to the Post says she’s personally received seven unsolicited deliveries over the past few months, including one just after she ruled against the Trump administration—an administration that has been brazen in its attacks on the judiciary.
Reuters recently published a report on the threats judges have faced after ruling against the administration, including threats of violence targeting their families. Attorney General Pam Bondi said last week she was “just learning” about the pizza intimidation, the Washington Examiner reports.
President Donald Trump abruptly fired the Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden on May 8. Hayden made history in 2016 as the first woman and first African American to run the Library of Congress. Her firing arrived in the form of an abrupt email in the evening hours. There are fears that President Trump may also target a second prominent Black federal official, Smithsonian Chief Lonnie Bunch, for no other reason than the perceived political bias in a position not known for partisan activity. “Carla, on behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as the Librarian of Congress is terminated effective immediately. Thank you for your service,” the terse communication to Hayden read. The Library of Congress confirmed that Hayden had been informed she was fired by The White House. According to the Associated Press, Hayden “recently faced criticism from a conservative advocacy group aligned with Trump’s political allies. The group, the American Accountability Foundation, accused her and other library officials of promoting children’s books with what it called “radical” themes.” Since his return to office Trump’s Administration has been focused on removing anyone who may disagree with their policy agenda. Many of the removals have introduced a sense of partisanship that Washington hasn’t seen in certain sectors such as the Library of Congress. “This is yet another example in the disturbing pattern of the President removing dedicated public servants without cause—likely to fill the position with one of his ‘friends’ who is not qualified and does not care about protecting America’s legacy,” wrote House Democrat Rosa DeLauro in a statement on Hayden’s firing. “President Trump’s unjustified decision to fire Dr. Carla Hayden as the Librarian of Congress is deeply troubling and just the latest example of Trump’s assault on the legislative branch of government. It’s also the latest demonstration of his blatant disregard for public servants who dedicate their lives to serving the American people,” wrote U.S. Senator Alex Padilla of California in a statement late on May 8. Some Constitutional experts are encouraging Hayden to sue since she is part of the Legislative branch, serving Congress but was fired by the Executive branch, which does not authorize or supervise her position. She is also the guardian of Federal records and has challenged Trump for his handling of Federal documents in his first administration.
By Stacy M. Brown Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
Senior White House adviser Stephen Miller confirmed the Trump administration is “actively looking at” suspending the writ of habeas corpus — a constitutional right that allows individuals to challenge unlawful detention. Though framed as a move against undocumented immigrants, historians and legal experts warn the consequences could be far more sweeping, especially for Black Americans.
“The Constitution is clear,” Miller told reporters. “The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus can be suspended in time of invasion.” Miller cited immigration at the southern border as justification, using language similar to what President Trump has repeatedly described as an “invasion.” But civil liberties advocates and Black historians say suspending this right — a cornerstone of due process — would reopen legal pathways used throughout U.S. history to detain, punish, and silence Black Americans. From the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 to Reconstruction-era terror and Japanese internment in World War II, the right to habeas corpus has been both a shield and a last resort for marginalized people. Its suspension has consistently led to devastating consequences.
“Black Americans remember what happens when the government has unchecked power to detain,” wrote historian Amanda Tyler, author of Habeas Corpus in Wartime. “This isn’t new. It’s the same mechanism that was used to capture fugitive slaves and suppress Black resistance during Reconstruction.”
In 1850, Congress passed a law that denied suspected fugitives any right to testify in court or even seek habeas relief. Free Black Americans were captured alongside escapees. “It meant no Black person in the North was safe,” wrote historians James and Lois Horton, who documented how the law turned states like Massachusetts into hunting grounds for slave catchers backed by federal power. The parallels are striking. Today, many of the deportation cases the Trump administration wants to fast-track involve habeas claims — legal challenges asserting that the government has no lawful basis for detention. One such case involves Rumeysa Öztürk, a Turkish student at Tufts University, who was jailed for 45 days without charges. A federal judge in Vermont ordered her release after she filed a habeas petition, arguing her detention was based on her political speech and not any crime.
Miller hinted that such judicial checks on the executive branch are part of the reason for considering suspension. “It depends on whether the courts do the right thing or not,” he said. That sentiment echoes past abuse. During Reconstruction, Congress had to pass the Ku Klux Klan Act in 1871 to protect Black citizens from paramilitary terror. The act allowed President Grant to suspend habeas corpus — not to restrict civil rights, but to crush white supremacist violence.
Now, the suspension is being considered not to protect Black life, but to expand detention powers in the name of immigration control. Critics say that opens the door to much broader repression. “The legal history is clear,” said Tyler. “Suspending habeas has often led to the erosion of other rights — especially for Black people.”
The fear isn’t hypothetical. In 1786, a Black father named Cato used a writ of habeas corpus to rescue his daughter Betsey from re-enslavement in Pennsylvania. Their case became one of the first major freedom suits in U.S. legal history. Even during Lincoln’s suspension of habeas corpus in 1862, a fierce backlash followed. Lincoln justified it during a rebellion. Critics warned then — as now — that the nation cannot preserve itself by abandoning the very liberties it claims to protect.
Stephen Miller’s comments come at a time when millions of Americans are already concerned about voter suppression, militarized policing, and authoritarian tactics. For Black Americans, the prospect of suspending habeas corpus rings especially loud. “When we hear this,” said one civil rights attorney, “we don’t just hear a legal argument. We hear footsteps from the past.”
By Stacy M. Brown Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
A newly released analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has confirmed that proposals pushed by Republicans in Congress to slash Medicaid spending would result in millions of Americans losing health coverage.
The analysis arrives just days before the House Energy and Commerce Committee is expected to vote on several of these drastic policy changes. The CBO report, addressed to Senate Finance Ranking Member Ron Wyden and House Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone Jr., outlines five Republican-backed Medicaid policy options that would significantly reduce federal spending.
The agency estimates that under the proposed changes, as many as 8.6 million people could lose Medicaid coverage, and up to 3.9 million would become uninsured. “This CBO report further confirms what we already knew – that Republicans in Congress are willing to sell out millions of working families to give their billionaire friends another massive tax break,” said Kobie Christian, spokesperson for Unrig Our Economy.
“Republicans in Congress have been gaslighting the American public by claiming to be against Medicaid cuts, while actively trying to take away health care from millions of working-class Americans.”
The proposals outlined in the CBO’s letter are capping federal contributions to Medicaid, reducing the matching rate for states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, and repealing enrollment rules designed to streamline access to Medicaid and CHIP. Each of the first four policy options would force states to respond by cutting provider payments, reducing benefits, and slashing enrollment. The fifth option alone—repealing the Eligibility and Enrollment final rule—would eliminate coverage for 2.3 million people, most of whom are low-income seniors and people with disabilities. “Donald Trump and Rubber Stamp Republicans in Congress are lying to the American people about their plans to enact the largest cut to Medicaid in our nation’s history,” warned Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The CBO analysis confirms House Democrats’ warnings that the GOP proposals would force states to raise taxes, cut education spending, or push people off health insurance,” Jeffries said. “Rather than working to improve the Medicaid program, congressional Republicans are continuing a 15-year-old fight to repeal the Affordable Care Act,” noted Andrea Ducas, vice president of Health Policy at the Center for American Progress. “This new CBO report confirms that each of congressional Republicans’ latest proposals would kick millions of the most vulnerable Americans off their health care, all to pay for tax giveaways for the president’s billionaire donors.” The report also arrives as Senate Republicans voted 53–47 to confirm Frank Bisignano—former Wall Street executive and self-described “DOGE person”—as the new head of the Social Security Administration, drawing harsh criticism from Democrats and advocates. During his confirmation hearing, Bisignano dodged questions from Senators Bernie Sanders and Ron Wyden about the agency’s cuts and the use of cryptocurrency-related tools in sensitive federal databases. In recent months, under the Trump administration, the SSA has shuttered field offices, laid off 7,000 employees, and made it harder for Americans—especially seniors and rural residents—to access benefits. Reports from outlets including Axios, NPR, and the Washington Post highlight the collapse of customer service at the SSA, long wait times, and the inability of many Americans to apply for benefits online or by phone. “Republicans just handed over the future of Americans’ Social Security to Frank Bisignano, a Wall Street stooge,” said Ken Martin, Chair of the Democratic National Committee. “Just like Trump and Musk, Bisignano will gladly put Social Security on the chopping block to line the pockets of billionaires and special interests.” Democrats argue the Republican strategy—cutting Medicaid and destabilizing Social Security—amounts to an all-out war on working-class Americans. The CBO report estimates the GOP’s Medicaid policy shifts would reduce the federal deficit by as much as $710 billion over the next decade, but at a devastating cost: loss of care, rising out-of-pocket expenses, and widening inequities in health access. “Crafting health care policy is not an academic exercise; for tens of thousands of Americans, it’s a matter of life or death,” Ducas noted.
The Greene County Commission met in a called session, Thursday, May 1, 2025 with all Commissioners present. The two items on the presented agenda, relative to access to the former Greenetrack facility, included consideration of a lease between the Greene County Commission and First Biometrics and consideration of a lease between the Commission and Tim Anderson. Chairperson Garria Spencer noted that the Commission had not received a proposal from Tim Anderson, thus the agenda was adopted omitting the latter item. Commissioner Allen Turner, Jr. suggested going into an executive session, however, Chairman Spencer proposed that the body just vote on the sole item on the agenda. On a three-two vote, with Commissioners Allen Turner, Corey Cockrell and Roshanda Summerville voting yes, the Commission approved entering into a lease with First Biometrics which will allow them access to the former Greenetrack facility for restorations, renovations and security. In previous Commission meetings, Charlie Gomez of Iron Wolf LLC based in Huntsville, AL, advanced the proposal from First Biometrics which included language indicating a lease agreement would be presented asking the Commission to consider the financial investment for facility improvements made by First Biometrics. Commission Attorney Mark Parnell will prepare the lease agreement. It was noted that if bingo is brought back by the lessee to the renovated facility, Greene County Sheriff Jonathan Benison would have to issue the appropriate license to a charity operating the bingo gaming. First Biometrics indicated they would be considering gaming and a variety of entertainments.
On Thursday, May 1,2025, President Donald Trump invited himself to be a speaker at the University of Alabama’s graduation in Tuscaloosa. The University administrators hurried put together a special ticket only program for the President of the United States to speak. The regular formal graduation took place on May 2-4, as previous planned. There were three public demonstrations against President Trump, the largest of which at Snow Hinton Park in Tuscaloosa, included more than 800 students, faculty, staff and community members. The demonstration, entitled ‘Tide vs. Trump’, was sponsored by the University Young Democrats with support from the State Democratic Party. Most of the speakers, with the exception of Beto O’Rouke of Texas and Doug Jones, former Alabama U. S. Senator, were students, faculty or persons connected with the university. Braden Vick, student leader from the University of Alabama said the demonstration was held, “To protest President Trump coming to the UA not for the graduates but for his own glorification and to identify with the school’s winning sports teams. He has cut research grants for our faculty and students; he has imposed tariffs which will raise our grocery, clothing and other prices; he has curtailed academic freedom at UA and other universities, which will hurt our ability to learn. Vick also thanked the Black community in Tuscaloosa for supporting the demonstration and opposing Trump’s reckless policies. Adan Meyers a graduate student at UA said that he had earned a summer internship with the CDC to research and study Alzheimer’s and Parkinson disease. “ In early February, I and other students I know, received letters abruptly cancelling our internships without giving any reason. WE have a tyrant in office, in Donald Trump, he does not care about the students and faculty at this university, or the research work they are doing. He is cutting benefits for the poor and the middle class to give tax cuts to the richest people in our country.” Jacoby Bennett, a Black graduate student lamented the influence of Trump’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies and the state’s legislation (SB -129) to limit DEI in Alabama’s education system from K-12, colleges and community programs. “This is not a rebranding, this is an erasure of Black, LBTGQ, and other marginalized groups on our campus. The Black Student Union and other similar groups helped students to end their isolation and relate positively to other groups on campus. DEI policies have ended these benefits, but apathy is not an option. We must fight for our rights and to bring back DEI policies and recognition,” said Bennett. Maggie Justice of the UA Planned Parenthood said the President’s policies on reproductive freedom, cutbacks in birth control, and general disrespect for women’s rights brought her to the demonstration. Dr. Cathy Simon, UA Social Work Professor and lead plaintiff on the lawsuit against the provisions of SB-129, which limits the curriculum, books and learning for young people and college students in Alabama. The limits are in compliance with the President Trump’s Executive Orders on DEI. Dr. Simon said, “The provisions of SB-129 and Trump’s DEI policies are detrimental to our students lives and to our educational institution. We face disciplinary actions if we teach what we believe. We are not able to teach the truth. We are limited in our encouragement of critical thinking. We cannot use some books written by our own faculty because they have been found to violate these new DEI dictates. We must fight for full equality and academic freedom. If you have any privilege because of the color of your skin, your position, your income – then use your privilege for the good of all.” The demonstration then heard from two national leaders, Beto O’Rouke of Texas and former Alabama U. S. Senator, Doug Jones on the national impacts of Trump’s policies. Both speakers reminded the audience of the work of the civil rights movement that changed conditions in Alabama, the South and the nation from the 1960’s forward. Although Trump is trying to belittle these accomplishments and trying to change history it will not work if the people are organized and resist these challenges. Jones said, “Every change in America came from the work and actions of a movement. What we are experiencing now, under Trump is not justice. We must work on a movement to restore justice and include all the people in our nation.”
Congressman Shomari Figures speaking at ANSC Convention
Alabama’s new 2nd District Congressman, Shomari Figures, was the keynote speaker for the Alabama New South Coalition’s (ANSC) Spring Convention in Montgomery this past weekend. The convention was held at the Maggie Street Dream Center and attended by over 100 delegates from the organization’s county chapters. In his remarks, Figures said the Trump Administration is trying to take the nation backwards, thread our social safety net and make it difficult for Black and poor people to get ahead in Alabama and America. He pointed to efforts to cut food stamps, cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, ending LIHEAP (a program that provides assistance to people with their utility bills), cuts to assistance 1890 Land Grant Colleges, making it difficult for people to get their Social Security benefits, cutting education funds for Title I, Headstart, school lunches, and critical scientific and medical research. Figures said that the Trump Justice Department had just pulled out of a longstanding school desegregation case in Louisiana, which is the beginning of their backing away from the 1954 Brown vs. The Board of Education landmark school desegregation case. Trump is also backing away from basic Constitutional principles, the rule of law, birthright citizenship and bypassing the role of Congress in funding and staffing government programs. “They are trying to take us backwards to an earlier time when we were not a multi-racial, technological society. Progress is not inevitable. ANSC and other community-based organizations must organize, resist and fight back against these reckless and destructive proposals, “ said Figures. “ I voted against the Republican budget outline bill because of all the cuts and tax breaks for the richest in our country. Some are criticizing me because they say I voted to shut-down the government. But Trump and his supporters are following the dictates of Project 2025 and closing the parts of the government they don’t like anyway”. On the positive side, Figures said he has introduced legislation in Congress, with bi-partisan support which will provide $500 million to rural hospitals that need operation support to keep open. “Four hospitals in rural counties in my district have closed in the past five years. Others, including Jackson Hospital in Montgomery, are in danger of closing. Until we provide affordable health insurance for all or a universal payer system, this fund will help support operational costs for qualified hospitals,” said Figures. The ANSC Convention had three informative panels on healthcare, education and voting in the morning before the luncheon keynote. The panels discussed ways that the community could be involved in healthcare, education and voting decisions and actions at the local level by ANSC County Chapters and their members and supporters.
