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Like many of you, we began November holding our breath to see how the midterm elections would play out. We saw that while our democracy remains under threat, it is more resilient than many had feared. One striking figure is that only 4 percent of young people think that we are living in a “healthy democracy.” Yet young people turned out strong to make the difference in many races. They understand that the best way to respond to threats to democracy is engagement—not just in the voting booth.
The election also showed that voters care about both economic security and abortion rights, demonstrating that these two issues do not need to be pitted against each other. In addition to the failure of abortion restrictions in Kentucky and Montana, and the passage of protections in Michigan, California, and Vermont; voters supported Medicaid expansion in South Dakota; minimum wage increases in Nevada and Nebraska; an end to the subminimum wage for tipped workers in the District of Columbia; free school meals for all in Colorado; and a constitutional amendment to fund child care in New Mexico. Our team was ecstatic to see the success of these important ballot initiatives.
The IWS team and the Community Partnership Group (CPG) have been busy with presentations this month, with more events coming up soon.
Recent Events
- The CPG presented their anti-racist vision for SNAP on a panel moderated by Policy Analyst Teon Hayes, which challenged advocates not to limit our policy asks to what feels “possible” as we enter the fight for improvements to the 2023 farm bill.
- Senior Policy Analyst Suzanne Wikle participated in a plenary session about Medicaid for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. The discussion included planning for the “unwinding” of Medicaid when the COVID-related continuous coverage provisions end, steps advocates should take, and the anticipated inequities in Medicaid coverage loss by race and ethnicity.
- Senior Policy Analyst Ashley Burnside presented at a breakout session about the expanded CTC and its positive impacts for children and families during the Alliance for Early Success CONNECT conference.
- Research Assistant Jessi Russell was invited to speak about housing insecurity for Gen Z at an event hosted by the Congressional Hunger Center.
Upcoming Events
- Senior Policy Analyst Parker Gilkesson will present at a virtual briefing on Monday, December 19th, at 12PM ET examining how the lifetime SNAP/TANF drug conviction ban continues to harm families and why the time for repeal is now. You can register here.
- On December 14, Elizabeth Lower-Basch will speak at Jobs for the Future’s Good Jobs Challenge Convening about the importance of providing support to help individuals move along their career pathways and into high-quality jobs. You can learn more about the event here.
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