Good afternoon,

We’re back to December … 2021? Congress is facing down yet another government shutdown just two months from now and is making little headway amidst the blizzard of foreign aid and border security fights, expulsions and censures, confirmation votes, and more. The Senate is giving a cold shoulder to House Republicans’ ultra-conservative proposals that cut essential federal programs and agency funding. If you were ready to hunker down for the holiday season, stay with us for some fireside reading as we keep you updated with the latest news affecting rural America.”

SCHOOL REPORT CARD

• School vouchers have been hailed by conservatives as the solution to poor educational outcomes in public schools. Ostensibly, vouchers provide disadvantaged families the ability to send their children to private schools and receive a better education.

• As we've warned, however, voucher programs fall short in offering equitable opportunities, funnel taxpayer dollars away from public schools to private institutions with no transparency, and leave children who live in rural school districts, have disabilities, or special needs behind.

• New findings have shown that, in fact, school vouchers are helping middle-income families whose children are already in private school, rather than low-income students who continue to attend public school.

• Rather than boosting American public school systems in need of funding, vouchers are pushing those vital resources to a program that lacks accountability to the very taxpayers that foot the bill. As more red states seek to establish similar programs, it is critical to protect the quality of public schools and protect the future of our kids, regardless of where they live or their families' financial status.

RURAL REPAIRS

• In addition to the challenges they face in providing students with a quality education, rural schools are also struggling to fund repairs and construction.

• In California, school facility repairs rely on local bonds funded through property taxes. Rural properties often are lower than in urban areas, bringing in less money – and qualify for fewer matching funds.

• California schools are particularly vulnerable to destruction as they face increasingly devastating severe weather, from wildfires to floods. Nearly 40 percent of California school districts are unable to raise enough money through local bonds to cover necessary repair costs when these disasters hit.

• Students should not have to receive their education in buildings suffering from leaks, dry rot, broken air conditioning systems, and pest infestations. Those at schools in good condition are more likely to attend class regularly and can better focus on learning, performing 5 to 17 percent higher on standardized tests and 14 percent less likely to be suspended. Rural students deserve to learn in safe and comfortable schools.

SCHOOL LUNCH DEBT ELIMINATION

• During the COVID-19 pandemic, school meals were provided at no cost to all students, thanks to federal subsidies. However, this universal free meal program ended in June 2022.

• While some states passed legislation providing free school lunches, unpaid lunch debt rose in 93 percent of surveyed school districts. Oklahoma has one of the country's highest rates of household food insecurity, and high food prices aren't helping.

• For many American children, the only reliable meal they receive is school lunch. Families are encouraged to fill out an application for the National School Lunch Program, which offers free or reduced-price school lunches.

• For families who have already accrued debt, a fundraiser is seeking to eliminate more than $76,000 in lunch debt from Oklahoma students. The fundraiser would cover cafeteria bills across seven school districts across the state, helping to alleviate financial stress for working families and make sure kids are fed.

SHARE YOUR RURAL HEALTH CARE STORY

Rural America faces unique health care challenges. One Country wants to raise awareness with policymakers in Washington, DC through first person testimonials by rural residents. Tell us your story and help us improve health care access in rural America. If you heard any at the Thanksgiving table, please share the link with us.

REMINDER: MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR 2024 COVERAGE

Seniors and families, NOW is the time to ensure your 2024 health care needs will be covered by selecting the plan that best fits your needs. Medicare Open Enrollment lasts until December 7. Explore your coverage options here.

• WPR: New investment in broadband expansion 'an equalizing opportunity' for state's rural communities
• Daily Yonder: Commentary: VA's Plan to Cut Ambulance Payments Will Hurt Rural Veterans and Communities
• Greenville News: Lack of affordable childcare costs SC $1.4 billion. 'Without childcare, parents can't work.'
• Tucson Sentinel: What the fight to expand access to the ballot for Native Americans looks like now
• Democracy Docket: Black and Latino Voters Sue Over North Carolina's New Congressional Map
• Fox 35 Orlando: Voting-rights groups take congressional redistricting fight to Florida Supreme Court

Be sure to follow the One Country Project on Twitter and Facebook, and check out The Hot Dish podcast.