Advocates for the Food for All campaign are praising Gov. Gavin Newsom s new budget proposal, which would begin the process of expanding the Cal Fresh program to include people 55 and older, regardless of their immigration status. Karen Giron, a Cal Fresh specialist with Hunger Action Los Angeles, said in the past it has been heartbreaking to turn away people seeking food assistance simply because they were undocumented. .
Pennsylvania stands to gain at least $100 million to improve broadband access from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority, established last month, will help coordinate the expansion of high-speed internet access throughout the state, by managing the influx of federal funds to support the construction of new towers, lines and broadband equipment. Bill Johnston-Walsh, Pennsylvania state director for AARP, said nearly two years into the pandemic, expanding internet access across the state is critical, as it helped older adults better access medical care and contact family during COVID-19. .
A new poll found a majority of Mainers struggle to afford the medical care they need. Advocates for increasing access to health care say Gov. Janet Mills and the Legislature have taken steps to address the issues, such as creating a Maine Prescription Drugs Affordability Board, expanding options for coverage and providing small businesses with subsidies to help pay insurance premiums. .
Gov. Brad Little kicked off Idaho s 2022 legislative session Monday with a State of the State address outlining his budget priorities. Unlike last year s remote speech, Little s address was in-person at the Capitol this year. .
K-12 and higher education would get $102 billion next fiscal year as part of Gov. Gavin Newsom s new budget proposal, released Monday the most in state history thanks to a projected 45-billion-dollar surplus. Education advocates say they are glad the budget would put $200 million toward health care for part-time lecturers, who make up 75% of the teaching staff at community colleges. .