![]() How will Trump/DOGE cuts hit here? How will they affect our local citizenry? For sure the cuts will affect some of us personally, and they should determine how we try to influence our public. It won’t do any good to talk about how the administration is hurting our standing in the world of scientific research or support for global health programs. We have to point to issues that directly impact our neighbors or problems that they can understand will be coming. So, this is an area we need to revisit, revise, and find ways to use. Social Security Social Security is a big item for many people in our communities. I think changes there will put many people in a bind, but I haven’t done enough research to speak on it. I think mid-April we will see either an inkling of something or major news. Fox should have a hard time dissembling. There are a number of programs suffering cuts that will impact our less fortunate citizens. Unfortunately, they are usually not in a position to raise a public stink. It will take some thoughtful reporting. Agriculture The U.S. Department of Agriculture is important to local citizens in ways that may not be apparent to many. The USDA canceled two federal programs that provided about $1 billion in funding to schools and food banks that purchase food directly from local farmers and suppliers. The Tarrant Area Food Bank said that it now faces a shortfall of $42 million dollars. Erath County is in the TAFB service area. This means that here may be less produce from this source available to needy families here. I asked, the Dublin program is receiving less to distribute. Local Meals on Wheels is another program which may suffer due to cuts in USDA funding. Many seniors depend on MoW for daily nutrition. In some cases the restriction of this program will place a burden on relatives….but some seniors live alone and away from able-bodied relatives. SNAP (food stamps) is another program of the USDA which may see sharp reductions, or changes… RFK, Jr. has made news promoting changes to SNAP to encourage buying healthy foods. A proposed piece of legislation in Texas (SB379) would go along with that idea, banning TxSNAP purchases of junk food. Some see a potential problem for people in areas where close stores may not carry a full variety of foods. The SPLC (Southern Poverty Law Center) discusses how any cuts to SNAP will have impacts to local grocery stores and thence to the community at large. I have not yet seen discussion of how potential cuts could affect local dairies. Some have worries regarding their immigrant workers. If Trump cuts reduce the number of OSHA or FDA inspectors, it could have repercussions, but only seen in hindsight. When impacts fall on disadvantaged households, does that resonate across our community? It will take some discerning, good reporting. Health and Human Services Funding cuts within the Department of Health and Human Services could have big impacts. Medicare and Medicaid The Trump administration plans to “claw back” around $11 Billion in COVID era grants to local healthcare institutions. Some of this funding was being used to support local healthcare infrastructure that has been/would be available to fight new crises, such as the Texas measles outbreak could become. Are changes to Medicare and Medicaid coming? Some of us have Medicare Advantage, a plan that is supposed to cost taxpayers more than straight Medicare, and a plan that Dr. Oz—who may be confirmed to head these programs—is supposed to favor. Trump has said that these programs will not be cut, but it seems that that is not the case. Here is an area where major cuts could impact the local population, and other communities more. Some rural hospitals and health care providers depend on a clientele served by these programs. Doctors are already feeling pinched because Medicare has not increased the amount they can charge to keep up with their expenses. On top of that, if they lose clientele because those people lose their Medicaid coverage, they may not have a sustainable practice. Doctors may close offices and move. If that happens in Dublin, we would be in big hurt. The hospital in Stephenville has already cut back, I think. What if it has to cut back further? Veterans’ Affairs The Veterans Administration is taking hits…… Some old guys I know, with injuries and other impacts from service in the armed forces, have to travel to Brownwood for some doctor visits and to Weatherford for other specialists. These guys may find problems in the near future as one of these hospitals closes. I’m speculating. Education Will state officials point to federal cuts to the Department of Education to deflect blame for effects of the Education Savings Accounts funding loss to local schools? I think it will take some work, and brave local education leaders, to get the word out, an assessment of what particular forces are leading to diminishment, derailing, …. and anything that happens will be used by private school people to push their agenda. Will the public assess where to place most blame? Here in Texas, we seem to be so deep in the hole, the effects of Trump cuts will not be apparent. The Southern Poverty Law Center is reporting on “Cuts and Consequences”, a series. Their focus is more Southeast, but they may identify concerns that I miss. Sources: https://www.yahoo.com/news/east-texas-food-bank-responds-232105188.html https://www.keranews.org/news/2025-03-19/tarrant-area-food-bank-faces-4-2m-shortfall-after-federal-funding-loss https://www.splcenter.org/resources/stories/effects-cuts-snap-federal-food-program-across-south/ SNAP=Food Stamps under USDA https://www.kxxv.com/news/local-news/in-your-neighborhood/107-year-old-waco-woman-reacts-to-meals-on-wheels-funding-cuts https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/28/texas-trump-federal-spending-freeze/ https://www.kxan.com/energy-crossroads/federal-cuts-impact-plans-to-grow-texas-grid-advanced-energy-options-face-delays/ https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/26/texas-measles-public-health-funding-cut/ https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article299325494.html in 2024 Texas received 58.9 billion in federal funds 37.7 billion went to TxHHS, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/federal-funding-cuts-ripple-through-heart-trump-country-2025-03-29/
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Texas Political Party Views on Rural Issues
The up-coming election features many contests not in the national spotlight, but which are important for Texas and for us in Erath County. One way to get an overview of the difference between major party slates of candidates is by comparing party platforms. Here I compare Democratic and Republican platforms for issues important to our rural economy. I began by searching both platforms for the term “rural”. The Republican Platform used “rural” two times. In the Democratic Platform, “rural” got 50 matches. (Neither party platform specifically mentions “dairy” or “dairies”.) Republicans call for federal and state measures to support rural volunteer firefighters and first responders. Of course there were some other platform planks that deal with issues of mainly rural impact without using the term “rural”. Republicans are against sales of land to foreign interests and call for measures to stop foreign owned land being taken out of agricultural production. Republicans call for less regulation of meat sales in local farm-to-table markets, and for direct purchase of other edible products from farms. Republicans oppose federal programs that encourage renewable energy sources which may negatively impact neighboring landowners. The Democratic Party platform includes a lengthy section on Rural Texas and Agriculture. Here is a glance at some highlights. Democrats seek to ensure Texans living in rural areas have necessary access to healthcare and hospitals, including by expansion of telehealth options and by providing grants to incentivize healthcare professionals to locate in rural areas. The Democratic platform calls for farm policies that restore fair prices and address the current credit crisis confronting American agriculture. There are several planks in the platform that address actions to ensure that rural areas will have the water resources they need. A number of points are listed in a section devoted to ensuring that rural students have access to quality education. Texas democrats also call for reform of eminent domain statutes. Their platform presents several points related to funding new public infrastructure that fosters rural economic development, including funds for rehabilitation of farm to market highways. The platform calls for expanded access to capital and credit for small businesses in low-income and rural areas. There are a number of parts of a Fairness to Farmers plank. One item featured is ensuring farmers have the “right to repair” their agricultural equipment. Texas Cottage Food Laws should be modernized to allow families to sell homemade products with greater ease. The Democratic platform cites rural needs in other main issue areas. For example, it calls for addressing unemployment and homelessness of veterans in rural areas. Both platforms urge action at the federal level. Those platform points might be directives to US Representatives or Senators—and good luck there. Party platforms are not the whole story, of course. The platform of the party out of power could be seen as more aspirational, while the platform of the party which has controlled Texas for the last 27 years might have been closer to a roadmap. However, I think the Republican platform instead shows more an unfortunate state of the current party. Kamala Harris’ Opportunity Economy
A synopsis of an article by Egbert Willies published in Medium, Aug. 18, 2024 A direct challenge to the status quo, which has favored corporate profits over the welfare of everyday Americans. Harris would try to reduce the high cost of living in the US. One way is by targeting corporate price gouging. She would also eliminate taxes on tips and raise the child tax credit by $6000. Corporations have been raising prices beyond inflationary pressures, to insure high profits. Asking the federal government to use its power to regulate corporations is reasonable—industry has not been inclined to self-regulate. Corporate self-regulation has generally occurred only when the consumer base is at a breaking point. Things are bad—why wait for ordinary Americans to struggle even more? If our response to cheating by overseas trading partners is to impose a tariff on their products, why not use the same approach with corporate greed on our shores: tax them. Harris has a strong focus on middle-class housing, a current crisis. Harris has stated a goal of building 3 billion new homes in the next four years and to provide $25,000. in down payment assistance for first-time home buyers. Creating more housing supply is aimed at corporations which have purchased homes as rental investments, keeping them off the market. Harris’s plans have been derided as economic populism, an election gimmick. However, the proposed policies address real needs of most Americans. The status quo needs to be challenged. Media outlets that tend to defend the status quo should not be trusted in their assessment of Harris’ plans. And from MSN, https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/kamala-harris-reveals-plan-for-opportunity-economy/ar-AA1p0PNF Kamala Harris Reveals Plan for ‘Opportunity Economy' Story by Kate Nishimura "I believe competition is the life blood of our economy, more competition means lower prices for you and your families," she said. Without deviating into a discussion on trade, Harris called out her opponent's controversial "All Tariff Policy," instead focusing on the impact that a universal tariff system could have on prices at retail. "He wants to impose what is, in effect, a national sales tax on everyday products and basic necessities that we import from other countries that will devastate Americans," she said, noting that it could raise prices on almost everything voters buy in stores. "A Trump tax on gas, a Trump tax on food, a Trump tax on clothing, a Trump tax on over-the-counter medication," she said. "And, you know, economists have done the math. Donald Trump's plan would cost a typical family $3,900 a year. At this moment when everyday prices are too high, he will make them even higher." For Erath County Voters, here are down-ballot candidates who may not receive adequate media attention
From official websites and/or Ballotpedia U.S. Senate, Texas Colin Allred JD in Law from UC Berkeley, Former professional football player Served in Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, Obama Administration. Worked in a law office specialized in voters’ rights. Elected to the US House of Representatives, 2018, representing TX District 32. Texas Supreme Court, Place 6 Bonnie Lee Goldstein Judge Lee serves presently in the Fifth Court of Appeals in Texas, Dallas area. Previously worked in Dallas area law practices, as a city attorney, prosecutor in municipal court, and as a municipal judge. Texas Supreme Court Place 4 Christine Weems Currently Judge in the Civil District Court of Harris County Certified in Civil Trial Law and Personal Injury Trial Law Experience with anti-trust cases and corporate tort cases. She is licensed to practice law in Texas, California, New York and before the US Supreme Court Texas Supreme Court Place 2 DaSean Jones Currently District Judge, Texas District 180 Decorated veteran with 22 years service, continuing as an Army Reserve Officer. Judge Jones stands for fairness and impartiality. Court of Criminal Appeals, Presiding Judge Holly Taylor Currently Assistant Director, Civil Rights…of Travis County District Attorney Served as staff attorney and Rules Attorney for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals She has a Masters Degree in Public Affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs in addition to a J.D. in Law from UT Proud of work to investigate claims of wrongful conviction. Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 8 Chika Anyiam Currently presides over Texas Criminal District Court #7, Dallas She has 20 years of legal experience in criminal law and has tried thousands of cases. Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 7 Nancy Mulder Currently Judge in the Criminal District Court #6, Dallas Previously criminal defense attorney and Assistant District Attorney for Dallas County She worked as a prosecutor for 12 years and then switched… Judge Muller believes in fairness, Preparation for timely function, and treating people before the bench and attorneys with respect. Texas Railroad Commission Katherine Culbert Chemical Engineer with a 20-yr career in Process Safety (chemical plants and oil and gas). Knows the industry the RRC regulates. Three big issues: Protect the environment, corporate accountability, transparency. Passionate about environmental Justice: worked in the Houston area on a project Texas House of Representatives District 59 Hannah Bohm Lives in Granbury Bachelor’s Degree Northern Arizona University Community Activist Three Big issues: Public Education, Reproductive rights / Women’s Rights, Rural Healthcare Erath County Tax Assessor-Collector Marycruz Serrano Life-long resident of Stephenville. Long experience in bookkeeping. Works at the Tax Office as a Motor Vehicle Deputy Clerk, 4 ½ years of experience. Helped train many of the past, current, and new motor vehicle deputy clerks. Motivated to run to correct discrimination at the local office level. Joe Biden thoughts. Briefly, edited excerpts from an article by George Dillard Medium July 6/7
Our convention is a month away, so anything could happen, but in today’s context, this: You’ll be voting for “Joe Biden,” not Joe Biden. “Joe Biden” is a team. The American president is a remarkably important figure. The Trump years showed that the quirks and personality traits of the president can matter quite a bit. But it’s useful to remember that you’re not really voting for one person when you elect a president, you’re voting for the team of people that the president will hire. Joe Biden does not run the government all by himself. Biden is the face of an organization that’s made up of thousands of individuals who help guide decision-making. For sure Biden knows a fair amount about most issues that cross his desk, from his five decades of public service. But even a president as experienced as Biden is utterly reliant on his aides to tell him what he needs to know. When it’s time to discuss tariff policy or NATO expansion or student loan cancellation, Biden is briefed by a team of experts who provide him with a range of options. He can and probably does push back against these options from time to time, but he’s generally going to choose from the menu with which he has been presented. And we are familiar with many in the top tier of the Biden team, as we hear them from one platform or another. I think most people would rate these people more than equal to people Trump has surrounded himself with and who could form a Trump team. Trump’s likely team would consist of people who are, in democratic speak “deplorables”. If it were 1884 rather than 2024, Biden’s stage performance wouldn’t matter at all. Newspaper readers would receive one set of second or third-hand reports or another. Progress: now we all can see and hear. The medium beats the mortals, in many respects. Over the course of the 20th century, the presidency moved more and more into the public eye—an entertainment product, largely due to the evolution of radio and television. The media evolved to cover it as such. It’s easier and safer for the media to do theater criticism around the campaign than to wade into the issues. We have always contrasted the different parties on issues. How are issues doing vs spectacle today? Anyway, remember it’s the whole team. |