DALLAS - Alliance/AFT, the local American Federation of Teachers union representing teachers and school workers, had over 30 people speak at the school board meeting on May 27, demanding pay raises for teachers and support staff.
Florida s DeSantis relies on federal relief funds he opposed
It wasn t long ago when DeSantis called the American Relief Plan Washington at its worst. Now he s patting himself on the back for putting the law to use
Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks to reporters about the cruise industry during a press conference at PortMiami on April 8, 2021.Joe Raedle / Getty Images file
June 3, 2021, 12:40 PM UTC
BySteve Benen
As the economy struggled throughout much of 2020, the Florida Republican proposed cuts to education and health care programs to help balance the state s budget. As it turns out, those cuts weren t necessary because Democrats at the federal level passed the American Relief Plan that bolstered state finances.
Maddow Blog | Florida s DeSantis relies on federal relief funds he opposed MSNBC 1 hr ago Steve Benen
As the economy struggled throughout much of 2020, the Florida Republican proposed cuts to education and health care programs to help balance the state s budget. As it turns out, those cuts weren t necessary because Democrats at the federal level passed the American Relief Plan that bolstered state finances.
In fact, yesterday, as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed his state s budget, there were plenty of smiles, with the governor announcing $1,000 bonuses for teachers, principals, and first responders. We re proud that we got the bonuses through, the Republican boasted.
Why it matters that the Wisconsin GOP rejected Medicaid expansion
Biden thought he d come up with a Medicaid expansion offer that states couldn t refuse. Republicans still don t care.
A sign for a polling place near the state capitol in Madison, Wis., on Nov. 6, 2018.Nick Oxford / Reuters file
May 26, 2021, 12:44 PM UTC
BySteve Benen
For most of the country, it was obvious years ago that Medicaid expansion through the Affordable Care Act is a good deal, but as regular readers know, there are still 12 holdouts. As a consequence, there are more than 2 million low-income Americans who don t have health security, simply because Republicans in their respective states refuse to do the right thing.
Maddow Blog | Why it matters that the Wisconsin GOP rejected Medicaid expansion MSNBC 4 days ago Steve Benen
For most of the country, it was obvious years ago that Medicaid expansion through the Affordable Care Act is a good deal, but as regular readers know, there are still 12 holdouts. As a consequence, there are more than 2 million low-income Americans who don t have health security, simply because Republicans in their respective states refuse to do the right thing.
One of those 12 states was handed an opportunity to act yesterday. As the Associated Press reported, it did not go well.
Republicans who control the Wisconsin Legislature on Tuesday convened and within seconds ended a special session called by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers to expand Medicaid, dashing chances for the state to receive a one-time bonus of $1 billion in federal coronavirus relief funding. The Senate and Assembly gaveled in and adjourned the special session in mostly empty chambers wit