May 6, 2021
For more information contact: Jim Britt at:
Jim.Britt@maine.gov
AUGUSTA- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefits Transfer card (EBT) equipment is available to agricultural producers and farmers markets in Maine. Interested producers and farmers markets should visit the Farm Food Access Program (FFAP) website or call the Maine Federation of Farmers Markets
(MFFM) to learn about the options for cost-free equipment. By accepting SNAP/EBT, producers and farmers markets help feed approximately one in eight Mainers participating in the SNAP Program.
The FFAP, developed by the Maine Bureau of Agriculture, Maine Department of Health and Human Services, and MFFM, launched in 2020 to provide more opportunities for individuals and families to purchase local foods with their federal SNAP benefits. FFAP positively benefits Maine s economy by increasing the number of farms and farmers markets in Maine accepting SNAP benefits. More than $200 milli
An Urgent Rescue Plan for Puerto Rico
By Federico de Jesús and Laura Rodriguez
April 28, 2021, 11:07 am
Download the PDF here.
Puerto Rico stands at a crossroads and acting boldly and with urgency, the Biden administration can provide the island with the relief it needs. While Puerto Rico’s
economic crisis has been at the forefront of recent public policy discourse, hurricanes Irma and Maria, subsequent natural disasters, and controversies involving the Puerto Rican central government have made it clear that Puerto Rico’s problems will continue to grow worse every day without an intervention of stimulus and support from the federal government. In addition to these hurdles, the Trump administration spent the past four years impeding Puerto Rico’s recovery
Westchester County Federal Legislative Requests sent to Washington Written by Westchester County
County Executive Latimer has sent his federal legislative requests to the federal delegation that represents Westchester County
Westchester County Executive George Latimer has sent his federal legislative requests to the federal delegation that represents Westchester County. The priorities were compiled by the Westchester County Department of Intergovernmental Relations under Latimer’s leadership. Department of Intergovernmental Relations Director Steve Bass led the team along with Deputy Director Ellen Hendrickx and Intergovernmental Relations Aide Kyle McIntyre.
While there are a number of federal priorities, the top priority for the Latimer Administration is the repeal of the SALT tax cap. The law now caps the SALT deduction at $10,000, resulting in double taxation and raised taxes on thousands of middle-class families in Westchester who depended on that deduct
Senate Appropriations Subcommittee Issues Testimony From CBO Director Swagel
Targeted News Service
WASHINGTON,
April 30 The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Legislative Branch issued the following testimony by Congressional Budget Office Director
Phillip L. Swagel at a hearing on fiscal 2022 budget request:
Congressional Budget Office s budget request. CBO is asking for appropriations of
$61 million for fiscal year 2022. That amount represents an increase of
$3.7 million, or 6.4 percent, from the
$57.3 million provided to CBO for 2021. Of the total amount, nearly 91 percent would be used for personnel costs.
The proposed budget reflects strong interest from Congressional leadership, committees, and Members in CBO s estimates, analysis, and technical assistance interest that will strain the agency s resources in many areas. The need to rapidly assess the economic effects of the 2020-2021 coronavirus pandemic and the impact of major pieces of related legisla
nonfat dry milk and skim milk powder up 36.1%
USDA estimates milk production for the month was 1.8% higher than a year ago. Milk cow numbers continue to increase with 77,000 more cows than a year ago for an increase of 0.8%. The increase in milk per cow slowed some with an increase of 1%.
Higher milk prices
The level of milk production for the remainder of the year is crucial to how milk prices will fare. USDA is forecasting a relatively strong increase in milk production for the year, at 2.3% higher than last year, Leap Year adjusted. Milk cow numbers are forecasted to average 72,000 head higher or 0.8% and milk per cow is expected to be 1.5% higher.