Welcome! Here are the topics for today’s column:

• Day #30 & Snap Benefits
• Susie & Matt
• Something to Read
• One More Thing

DAY #30 & SNAP BENEFITS:

Today is day #30 of the Federal Government shutdown. For those keeping score at home, the longest shutdown was for 35 days and happened from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019. Oh, and Donald Trump was President during that shutdown, too. 

Several polls show that more people are blaming Republicans for the shutdown more than they are blaming Democrats. (Source) (Source) (Source) The Republicans have control of the House, the Senate, and the White House. They know they need 60 votes to move legislation in the Senate, so they need to compromise. That means the Republicans would need to lead, so don’t expect it. 

There’s a very good chance that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will end Saturday, November 1. 

Almost 78,000 Montanans are using SNAP. Nationally, about 42 million people use SNAP benefits. The loss of SNAP will have a devastating effect. 

NBC Montana asked the four members of the Montana Congressional delegation (all Republicans) about SNAP benefits running out. Here is the question:

What is your plan to prevent the lapse of SNAP benefits for millions of Americans facing food insecurity, especially with payments set to stop starting November 1?

Their plan was to blame the Democrats, and that was about it. By the way, they are getting paid during the shutdown. See their answers HERE. 

If you can donate (food, money, time) to your local food bank, please do. 

SUSIE & MATT: 

According to several sources, including MTN News, Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Susie Hedalen and State Senate President Matt Regier are proposing legislation to strip education credits from teacher conferences they claim promote “extreme leftist ideology.”

Hedalen also penned a strongly worded letter to Montana school districts directing them to be in compliance with state and federal laws. (Source)

Someone should respond to Hedalen with a strongly worded letter directing her not to drive under the influence. (Source) 

But wait, MTN News also reports that Montana Federation of Public Employees (MFPE) President Amanda Curtis said, “The Educator Conference is being completely misrepresented.” 

Curtis said that the conferences are designed in collaboration with the Office of Public Instruction and approved by Hedalen’s office. She emphasized that curriculum groups decide which courses to offer, and teachers invest significant time and energy in preparing sessions.

So, “…the conferences are designed in collaboration with the Office of Public Instruction and approved by Hedalen’s office.”

Maybe Susie and Matt should start with Hedalen’s office?

We need to support our educators instead of attacking them. Hedalen is an embarrassment to public educators in Montana. 

SOMETHING TO READ:

Nick Perkins writes in “The Nation” about being an intern on U.S. Senator Jon Tester’s (D-MT) last campaign:

As an intern for Jon Tester’s campaign, I saw a disconnect between our claim to authentic Montanan populism and the reality on the ground. In 2025, we need something different.

The MAGAs are loving the article. 

Check it out HERE. 

ONE MORE THING:

So excited I got a raise today! It was a medication dosage, but a win is a win! 

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