From the White House to the county courthouse, we have you covered on rural politics and policy. Look no further for election analysis and rural voter data, reporting on how policymakers and federal programs are aiming to serve rural communities, or simply the many roles rural people and places play in democracy and civic life.
Illustrating the News: How Are Rural Communities Using American Rescue Plan Funds?
The act’s funds were designed to be flexible, but with many state and local budgets set for 2022 we can start to see how places are patching fiscal holes or taking on community challenges.
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Montana’s Abortion Restrictions Place an Extra Burden on Rural Areas, Advocates Say
Three new state laws, including one that prevents telehealth and mail-prescription services, will limit choices during pregnancy, according to Montana’s Planned Parenthood CEO.
Commentary: Wake up, Democrats. Rural America Is More Than Just a Place to See Fall Color
Democrats can’t hang on to power if they routinely lose rural voters by 40 points. Something needs to change.
In Some Smaller Communities Social Workers Join the Ranks of Law Enforcement
According to the officials, the efforts focus on providing support for crisis calls that aren’t related to criminal activity.
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Commentary: Wisconsin Democrats Seek to Strengthen Party in Rural Counties
“The biggest challenge is changing people’s thinking, because we can’t do what you’ve always done,” says the chair of the state’s Rural Caucus.
McAuliffe’s ‘Rural Problem’ in Virginia Was Actually an ‘Everywhere’ Problem
Virginia Governor Elect Glenn Youngkin put together a consistent 6- to 7-point bump — from the largest cities to rural counties — compared to Donald Trump’s performance in 2020. The widespread shift created the Republican margin of victory.
USPS Delays May Disproportionately Harm Rural Communities, Organizers Worry
In search of savings, USPS started delaying its first-class mail services, allowing upwards of five days for a delivery. Rural Organizations worry the delays could be “catastrophic” for the residents they represent.
‘No Surprises’ Legislation Benefits Rural Residents Starting January 1
The new rules will eliminate “out-of-network” medical fees for emergency services and reduce the high-cost billing in many other cases.
In a Race for Virginia’s Governorship, Candidates Make Promises to Lift Up Rural Parts of the State
In a closely watched and surprisingly close race for Virginia’s Governor’s seat, both candidates have to balance allegiance to their party with promises that could win them both rural and suburban votes.
Review: ‘Gunfight, My Battle Against the Industry that Radicalized America’
A former executive offers excruciating detail on how hardliners and the NRA changed the gun industry into the servant of military-style weapons and absolutist views on the Second Amendment.
Commentary: Could ‘Managed Retreat’ from Climate Change Revitalize Rural America?
Climate change will dislocate people in some cities. Many rural areas are losing population. Could a “climate-change Homestead Act” provide a solution?
Commentary: Slogans Got Us Here, Better Policies Can Pull Us Back
In a race for cheap political points scored through meaningless, but catchy, slogans politicians drag rural communities down.
USDA: SNAP Benefits Boost Rural Economies, Save Jobs
According to the USDA’s study, SNAP benefits have more than twice the impact on rural economies, than they do on urban economies.
Republican-Voting Mountain Counties in N.C. Urge State to Expand Medicaid
For months, the CEO of the Cherokee Indian Hospital has quietly traveled to county commission meetings in Western North Carolina to give presentations on the benefits of Medicaid expansion. Five counties and several towns in the region have responded with resolutions of support.
Why Rural Is Hard to Define
Settling on one definition for rural, or “nonmetropolitan,” is notoriously difficult—different agencies use different criteria and it’s a challenge to keep everything straight. This article lays out the most common definitions, who uses each, and why.
Changes in Child Tax Credit Have Bigger Impact on Rural Families
Nearly half of all children in rural (nonmetropolitan) counties were likely to benefit from changes in income requirements for the child tax credit. The changes will expire at the end of the year without congressional action.
Rural Infections Drop by 5%; Death Rate Continues to Rise
Nine out of every 10 counties has a high rate of infection.
Commentary: After Years of Inaction, Could a White House Order Signal Change on Antitrust Enforcement?
The Biden administration says it wants to take on deceitful and anti-competitive practices that harm farmers. The changes are a step in the right direction.
SNAP Benefits Increase Will Help Rural Areas, Experts Say
The USDA-run food assistance program, which on average benefits the rural population more than its urban and suburban counterparts, helps families get healthier nutrition and serves as a powerful economic driver.
Deadly Crashes on Rural Roads Prompt New Safety Efforts
While the infrastructure bill recently passed in the U.S. Senate is proposing to invest $300 million of federal money in the rural road safety, a number of states are already working independently towards that goal.
Shrinking Rural America Faces State Power Struggle
As the new round of Congressional redistricting is around the corner, rural areas with diminishing populations might see that reflected in less power in statehouses and Congress.
Commentary: National Cookie-Cutter Voter Plan Won’t Help Rural Democrats
A consultant’s plan to reach rural voters calls for spending twice as much on text messages as on Facebook and local media ad buys combined. That’s just one way this plan falls short of providing the right tools and leadership for the job.
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