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Around the country, schoolchildren are heading back into the classroom. For many parents and caregivers, this season brings bittersweet feelings of happiness that the summer holidays are coming to an end, alongside worries about new schools, new teachers, new classes. Of course, these feelings are compounded by fear of gun violence in schools, and the ongoing lack of legislative action to protect schoolchildren.
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In July, Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) drafted a possible bill to amend the Endangered Species Act. Some of the proposed amendments allow more non-scientific influence on endangered species protections. At the same time, the Departments of Interior and Commerce have proposed new regulations that would take effects on commerce and industry into account when determining whether to list a species as endangered or threatened... which sure doesn’t sound like it should be a relevant factor. None of these are done deals, so it’s time to act.
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In a few months, hundreds of America’s farmers markets will no longer be able to process payments from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as SNAP or food stamps. Early last month, Novo Dia Group, the country’s largest provider of SNAP at farmers markets, announced its plans to go out of business, effectively terminating service to thousands. Any interruption in service will harm low-income Americans, who spent more than $24 million in SNAP benefits on fresh, healthy food at farmers markets last year, as well as the many farmers who depend on revenue from farmers markets.