PLI Bulletin

Medicaid, Infrastructure, Woke Messaging and More

Posted on March 22, 2023

Small Claims Court Modernization Act: Currently, most state small claims courts have monetary limits of $5,000 to $10,000, which is woefully low. The Small Claims Court Modernization Act increases the monetary limit for small claims court jurisdiction to $15,000, $20,000 or $25,000.

Don’t say “woke” and other idiocy: Here we go again. The rightwing adopts absurd messaging, it dominates the conversation for a time, and then they move on to other, similar absurdities. The directors of the rightwing noise machine know what they’re doing, but do you? See the latest IdeaLog, our blog intended to raise eyebrows and engage minds.

The History (And Present) of Food Stamps: SNAP benefits, formerly called food stamps, were recently cut back as a COVID-era program expired. This Brian Lehrer/WNYC podcast discusses the origins and direction of the SNAP program.

Expand access to contraception through Medicaid: A report by the Center for American Progress explains how states can and should use state plan amendments or Section 1115 waivers to expand the scope of Medicaid to cover contraception.

Interactive map of Biden’s Infrastructure Act projects: You can zoom in with this map to see exactly what was funded in your communities by the 2021 INVEST in America Act. (Incidentally, the webpage title is just a nickname. In fact, most GOP Senators and 200 GOP Representatives voted against the bill.)

Community Schools Playbook: This is a policy and implementation guide based on the four key pillars of comprehensive community schools: Integrated Student Supports, Expanded and Enriched Learning Time and Opportunities, Active Family and Community Engagement, and Collaborative Leadership and Practices.