Steve Benjamin

Our last and next president has tried to distance himself from #Project2025, claiming he "has no idea who is behind it." But it was developed by a broad coalition of conservative organizations, spearheaded by the Heritage Foundation, perhaps the leading conservative think tank in the U.S., "for the next conservative administration." And at least 140 people who worked in the Trump administration had a hand in Project 2025. These include Roger Severino, the Trump appointee who led the HHS Office for Civil Rights through its many successful efforts to rescind regulations clarifying civil rights in health care and drastically expand the rights of health care providers and staff to deny their patients essential care. Severino currently serves as Heritage's VP of Domestic Policy and authored Project 2025's plans for HHS: a frightening playbook to narrow health care access (including abortion) and related civil rights across the entire country, using mechanisms that will affect those in seemingly "safe" states (e.g., those that have passed ballot initiatives and legislation to strengthen state abortion rights). I previously wrote about some of the plan's most frightening proposals for Medicaid, the ACA, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act in the National Health Law Program blog post below. It doesn't stop there. Six of his former Cabinet secretaries co-authored or collaborated on Project 2025. Four of his ambassadors and several enforcers of his racist immigration agenda were involved. About 20 pages are credited to his first deputy chief of staff. Democracy Forward has a great resource summarizing what Project 2025 will mean to the American people, called "The People's Guide to Project 2025." https://lnkd.in/e79aAJxe. As Democracy Forward writes, "these threats aren't hypothetical. These are their real plans." It's important to not give into despair. We cannot give up hope; we must keep fighting to hold the line on health care access and democracy at large. But first, for those who have not already done so, it is time to understand and steel yourselves for what's to come. https://lnkd.in/epmRHi8Y

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In a new blog post, I address how the authoritarian #Project2025 agenda endangers the future of Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, with some specific implications for sexual and reproductive health and disability. #ProtectMedicaid https://lnkd.in/epmRHi8Y

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✨ A Historic Year for MBDA in 2024! ✨ 2024 was a monumental year for the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). Three years after the passage of the Minority Business Development Act of 2021, MBDA has firmly established itself as a permanent, influential force for the country’s more than 12 million minority business enterprises (MBEs). This year, MBDA achieved incredible milestones: 📈 MBDA helped secure over $3.2 billion in contracts and $1.6 billion in capital, creating and retaining over 23,000 jobs. 💡 Advanced the Capital Readiness Program, the largest federal initiative of its kind, which in its first year served 6,300 entrepreneurs and facilitated $263 million in capital for underserved businesses. 🤝 Traveled across the nation to connect with entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and program partners, witnessing firsthand the energy and determination to break barriers and open doors for MBEs. Connecting these leaders to opportunities for growth and scaling. 🏛 Strengthened MBDA as a data-driven, permanent federal agency with the mission of closing the $7.1 trillion opportunity gap, advancing economic equity, and enhancing national security. This progress is a testament to the vision behind the Minority Business Development Act and the bipartisan coalition that supported its passage and the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration. Our economy is strongest when every American has a fair shot at the opportunity to build and grow a business. I am proud of MBDA’s enduring legacy and the role it will continue to play in fostering an economy that works for all. Leading this Agency has been the honor of my life. Together, we are shaping a brighter future for minority businesses and advancing America's security and competitive. #MBDA #YearInReview #EconomicEquity #OpportunityGap #PoweredByMBDA #TeamMBDA #BidenHarrisAdministration

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Tomorrow! Federal Legislative and Political Update Webinar with Aquiles Suarez | Register to hear an analysis of the impact of the recent elections on NAIOP’s public policy priorities and the outlook for issues important to CRE: https://ow.ly/ERt250UffiK

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Join FutureEd and a national panel of experts for a lively webinar conversation on Nov 13 at noon about the future of state standardized testing, a critical but controversial issue in the national education conversation. Register here: https://lnkd.in/exdAGnfV  #standardizedtesting #ESSA #schoolaccountability

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My annual state legislative and policy preview is up! Find out what corporate power related issues will be at the forefront of state government debates in 2025.

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What is the Office of Regional Affairs? By Office of Advocacy On Oct 15, 2024 by Will Purcell, Director of Regional Affairs The Office of Advocacy (Advocacy) advances the views and concerns of small businesses before Congress, the White House, federal agencies, federal courts, and state policymakers. As the voice for small businesses in the federal government, it is critical for Advocacy to hear from small business stakeholders all over the country so that we can better understand their concerns. After all, different regions have different concerns, and the Office of Regional Affairs works diligently to make sure those are heard in Washington D.C. Advocacy’s Office of Regional Affairs consists of staffers spread across the country. A regional advocate is located in each of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) ten geographic regions. The advocates are the eyes and ears for Advocacy across the nation. They help promote and champion small businesses in their region. Regional advocates: Represent the Chief Counsel for Advocacy in their regions, often facilitating opportunities for the Chief Counsel and DC staff to meet with local businesses concerned about regulations that impact their business. Conduct extensive outreach to regional small business communities so that Advocacy’s DC team is better informed of distinct regional and local small business concerns. Maintain a partnership with regional and district SBA staffers to ensure that SBA is aware of Advocacy’s products and actions. Refer regulatory concerns for already existing rules to regional Regulatory Fairness Boards and the SBA Office of the National Ombudsman. This ensures that even small businesses outside of Advocacy’s scope of work are heard. Each regional advocate engages with small businesses differently, based on their region, their network of contacts, and their background. However, all the regional advocates work to amplify the voices of the small businesses in their regions to ensure that critical information makes it back to Washington D.C.  The advocates amplify small business voices by relaying stories from the field. The advocates’ news articles are a useful way to showcase their work. This allows Advocacy to spotlight small business struggles and successes, which provides personal insight into complex regulatory law and a face to government statistics. If you are a small business and wish to reach out to an advocate in your region, or you are a trade group or local association that wishes to have a regional advocate speak at one of your events, feel free to reach out to an advocate in your region. Alternatively, you can reach out to Will Purcell, Director of the Office of Regional Affairs, at [email protected].

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Interesting perspective on some federal incentive tools.

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Today, the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) published my report proposing a novel reform of the federal regulatory process. The concept is getting traction having recently been introduced in Congress as H.R.8204, the Regulatory Early Notice and Engagement Act (RENEA), sponsored by Reps. Don Davis (D-NC), Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), and Tim Burchett (R-TN). If you have an interest in regulation and regulatory reform, please read the report and consider supporting this bipartisan legislation. #regulation #smartregulation #regreform #RENEA #regulatoryearlynotice #cutredtape #regulatoryearlynotice https://lnkd.in/ezg3MtY7

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Read ASHA's analysis of the impact of the 2024 election results, take action for Medicare, learn about interstate compact updates, and more in the November 12 issue of the ASHA Advocate: https://lnkd.in/eHfT4aNb #ASHAAdvocacy

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With the amendment resolution by Sens. Manchin and Welch gaining some steam, I decided to dive into some of our internal polling to see how voters feel about term limits. Check out our latest Substack!

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It was a pleasure to speak at PolicyLink's Equity Summit in Atlanta last week. Our panel explored the concept of Legislative Equity Scoring. The Congressional Budget Office produces cost estimates of nearly every bill that goes to the House or Senate floor. Federal law requires agencies to conduct impact assessments before taking major actions that could affect the environment. But currently no statute requires an analysis of how a proposed policy or program will impact different groups of Americans differently. What would be the impact of expanding the Child Tax Credit on differential poverty rates and the racial wealth gap? Will infrastructure programs adequately benefit both rural and urban areas? How might proposed housing investments impact supply and cost in the hardest-hit communities? These are the kinds of questions that equity scoring would help policymakers answer. Equity scoring is the idea that we should study the likely impact of legislation before finalizing it, while there is still time for legislators to consider alternatives. It can help anticipate impact based on income, race, gender, geography, disability, and other characteristics. The goal: to give policymakers more information, so they can make more effective policy and ensure no one is left behind. For more, I recommend this Urban Institute and PolicyLink paper: https://lnkd.in/eKjdzn7j Thanks to co-panelists Andre M. Perry, Rekha Balu, Glenn Schlactus, and Julie Nelson, all of whom are leaders in this space. And congrats to Dr. Michael McAfee, Ashleigh Gardere, Judith Dangerfield, and the entire staff of PolicyLink on an energizing and substantive summit!

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The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) cheers the reintroduction of the Health Equity and Accountability Act (#HEAA) of 2024, a critical, comprehensive, and strategic roadmap to address and help eliminate health care inequities experienced by communities of color. HEAA represents a crucial opportunity to comprehensively fight the vast racial health inequities that mark the U.S., as well as their intersections with xenophobia, sexism, ableism, ageism, and classism. HEAA builds upon the Affordable Care Act’s achievements through groundbreaking reforms such as closing Medicaid’s immigrant and post-pregnancy coverage gaps; establishing Medicaid doula payment models among other payment and service delivery innovations that center racial health equity; and strengthening data collection and access to culturally and linguistically appropriate health care. HEAA also recognizes that we cannot achieve racial health equity without a federal right to abortion that includes Medicaid coverage. The National Health Law Program urges Congress to pass this vital legislation. The Congressional Tri-Caucus has reintroduced HEAA since 2003. This year, CAPAC is championing HEAA’s reintroduction. Representative Barbara Lee and Senator Mazie Hirono are the lead sponsors for the first-ever bicameral introduction. Over the last decade, more than 150 Members of Congress have co-sponsored HEAA. Since its inception, over 300 racial and health equity organizations, community-based organizations, researchers, and provider groups have contributed to HEAA’s development as part of the Community Working Group (CWG). This year, Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO) and Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum coordinated the CWG. A proud longtime member of the CWG, NHeLP contributes to various HEAA titles. Over the last two Congresses, I have had the privilege of leading the Title V Committee, which rewrites 500+ pages of bill text with policies to foster racial health equity in the contexts of sexual and reproductive health and children’s health. I am grateful to Title V Committee members for their powerful contributions and especially my colleague Michelle Yiu for their hard work on the most recent rewrite. Racial health equity cannot wait. It’s time for Congress to pass HEAA. #HealthEquityForAll NHeLP’s statement: https://lnkd.in/gqBuGxZT CAPAC’s statement: https://lnkd.in/gD4dprM6 Press conference: https://lnkd.in/gN7waA4Q

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My latest commentary in The Baltimore Sun highlights the city's failed tax policy. It's both ineffective (it fuels disinvestment and flight) and inequitable (pols dole out subsidies to those who "pay to play," withhold a competitive, fair rate to everyone else). Details on the latest outrage are here: https://lnkd.in/eyVJmxzm

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We at Exiger including myself as the White House lead for the supply chain task force for accleration during the pandemic, recognize the critical impact of the ongoing strike. The repercussions extend beyond mere inconvenience, affecting relief efforts post-hurricane Helen. FEMA stockpiles urgently require replenishment, with essential supplies still stranded on cargo ships in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. For companies navigating supply chain disruptions or seeking alternative suppliers, our team at Exiger is here to help. Don't hesitate to reach out for support in tracking your products' journey and exploring viable solutions. #Exiger #SupplyChain #ReliefEfforts #FEMA #HurricaneHelen #LogisticsAssistance

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Curious how #reconciliation will shape the 2025 #healthpolicy landscape? My colleague Elizabeth (Liz) Wroe knows the process inside and out and will share some of her wisdom on Wednesday in this #free webinar!

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Social Justice Organizer, Washington, DC The Social Justice Organizer is based in the Washington, DC area & has primary responsibility organizing activists nationwide & anchoring direct actions &legislative visits in DC.  As the Workers Circle’s point-person in our nation’s capital, the organizer will track priority federal legislation, opportunities for endorsement & advocacy. They will signal key moments in the life-cycle of priority legislation when grassroots action can be most impactful & skillfully craft grassroots actions to maximize the power of our multi-generational activist base, with particular emphasis on activists over 60 years of age.  The SJO will be the primary point person for Workers Circle’s grassroots coalition efforts with allied organizations to advance our work on democracy & voting rights in order to advance worker rights, economic justice, immigrant rights & racial justice. They will create & manage sign-on letters, contribute to planning & carrying out coalition actions & programs. Importantly, the SJO will anchor for Workers Circle’s participation in social justice actions in the DC-area, from protests outside the Supreme Court, to hearings on the Hill, to actions like the annual March on Washington.  They will also open new doors & strengthen existing relationships for the Workers Circle with Congress, the White House, & relevant federal agencies that demonstrate our grassroots power, legislative priorities, & Jewish values. SJO cultivates those relationships with staff, identifies important new people we should meet, closely tracks contacts, assesses opportunities and advising where our values and grassroots power can be marshaled to build a truly multiracial democracy and achieve the worker, immigrant and economic rights we need. SJO will advance the progressive values & vision of the Workers Circle. They must be able to assist in translating our approach to Jewish social justice using excellent interpersonal & communication skills as well as tailored, outreach approaches to build ongoing relationships both with the staff of key government offices & our activist base.  This is an exempt, full-time, union position, fully remote based in the Washington, DC area. Compensation $65,000-75,000 DOE, + excellent benefits package.    Ideal candidate possesses: ·     5-7 years of experience in start-up or grassroots organizing ·     Strategic thinker and tactician ·     Familiarity with federal legislative process and nonpartisan grassroots lobbying ·     Experience working with Congressional offices, the White House or Government Agencies ·     Fluent navigator of Jewish cultures & identities ·     Self-starter and accomplished project manager ·     Excellent public speaking & writing skills ·     Excellent listening skills, sound judgment & strong problem-solving skills ·     Experience working with senior activism is a plus. TO SEE the FULL JOB POST & TO APPLY, FOLLOW LINK BELOW - thanks! #progressiveorganizing #advocacy

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“Emergency legislation is needed to address this disaster’s immediate and long-term impacts, ensuring Appalachia’s path to recovery is not delayed,” wrote Reverend Ryan Eller, executive director of the Appalachia Funders Network, about devastation caused by Hurricane Helene—the worst natural disaster in the region’s history. Hurricane Helene took over 230 lives, displaced thousands and caused an estimated $225 billion in damages. Two months have passed and Congress has failed to pass an emergency relief bill and bolster funding for the U.S. Small Business Administration, FEMA and other recovery efforts. We agree with Ryan—Congress MUST pass a relief package before the holiday recess to mobilize resources and empower communities to define their own recovery. “We’ve lost lives, homes, communities, ecologically rich lands, and irreplaceable cultural sites, including up to 20% of our forest cover,” wrote Ryan. “It’s not just a financial loss; it’s a deep wound to the fabric of our region.” Read the rest of Ryan’s op-ed in The Daily Yonder: https://lnkd.in/eFFUya5t Want to help? Use the link in the comments to contact your legislators! #Appalachia #HurricaneHelene #DisasterRelief #Congress

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I invite you to join the America First Policy Institute's recently announced federal budget process reform contest. The first prize is $10,000! Submit your ideas for reforming the federal budget process. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, the act that established the current (dysfunctional) federal budget process. With your help, we can fix the process and restore fiscal sanity. #AFPIbudgetprocessreformcontest #federalbudget #budgetprocess https://lnkd.in/eKmRDffN

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