Vote!
Tomorrow is Election Day! If you haven't already voted, make a plan to do so tomorrow. If you aren't sure where to vote, look up your polling station here.
Our local leaders set and fund policies relating to housing, education, public transportation, policing, and public health. Local elections matter a great deal, especially now that Trump and DOGE have decimated the federal government to fund tax breaks for billionaires. Check out our coverage to help you research and select progressive candidates vote for tomorrow:
NSP Staff Writer
Volunteers Needed Tomorrow
From our friends at ECCO:
With federal budget cuts and the government’s cruel choice to withhold SNAP benefits, families are being squeezed on every side. When rents suddenly jump—often 50–60%—many lose not just their stability but their homes, because there’s currently no limit. That’s why we’re part of the Homes for All coalition, advancing a ballot initiative to cap annual rent increases at 5% or the rate of inflation (whichever is lower), with exemptions for small landlords who live in their buildings and for newly built housing for ten years.
In order to get rent control on the 2026 ballot, approximately 75,000 voters across the state must sign petitions in support of the measure by no later than November 19th. ECCO's goal is to gather 1,500 signatures over the next two weeks to get rent stabilization on the 2025 ballot. They have organized volunteer shifts at polling stations around the North Shore to gather signatures tomorrow. Sign up for one or more shifts ASAP:
For more info on Rent Control Ballot Initiative campaign, check out our coverage:
NSP Staff Writer
Keep Up Pressure For SNAP/Food Bank Funding
This afternoon the USDA finally agreed to use contingency funds to pay 50% of November's SNAP benefits to eligible households in response to In response to a court order issued by the US District Court in Rhode Island on Friday. The agency warned though that there would be no additional funds available for the program, including for any new SNAP applicants certified this month.
It's not clear how quickly beneficiaries will receive their partial benefit after the Trump Administration releases the funds. In an interview this weekend, Governor Healey had indicated that the process "could take days". In the meantime, SNAP beneficiaries across the state are left without critical assistance to buy food.
The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, a member of the Make Hunger History Coalition released this statement shortly after the USDA announcement:
We urge Governor Healey and the Massachusetts legislature to quickly provide partial state funds. Partial state funds to address the 50% gap between what households typically receive and what USDA authorized would reduce hunger and financial distress, support our local economies, and relieve pressure on the emergency food system.
Contact the Governor and your state legislators urging them to partially pay for SNAP benefits for Massachusetts residents, or at the very least, send more funds to food banks in our state. The $8 million that was sent to food banks last week is hardly adequate considering that Bay State residents rely upon $240 million worth of SNAP benefits monthly.
Even if state leaders are unwilling to draw upon the state's $8 billion rainy day fund, they can find additional funding by cutting non-essential programs identified by Senator Mark Montigny last week.
Contact info for Governor Healey: 617-725-4005; email. Look up your state legislators and their contact info here:
NSP Staff Writer
For more background, see our other newsletters from last week.
Support Local Food Aid Groups
We have compiled a list of local food pantries, community meal programs, mutual aid groups, and food recovery organizations for you to support through donations and volunteer work. Please share this list widely.
NSP Staff Writer
Community Calendar
Don't forget to bookmark and regularly check our Community Calendar to find events, protests, lectures and trainings. We update the calendar daily!
NSP Staff Writer
