By Tom Davies | Deputy Editor
“I mean, we make burgers and hot dogs, so you’ll love our meat in your mouth.” — food truck owner Scott Sims
Changes pushed by President Donald Trump to federal food assistance program rules could mean fewer Indiana schools being able to offer free breakfast and lunch to children.
We have a look at possible First Amendment concerns over a food truck’s suggestive slogan that led to officials kicking it out of a weekly market outside the Indiana Statehouse.
Plus, a commentary about Indiana’s tough rules for schools adopting four-day weeks, and a story on how state officials will do some entertaining at next month’s IndyCar race in Washington, D.C.
Federal changes to SNAP and Medicaid could impact free school lunch program. (Photo by Marcus Constantino for West Virginia Watch)
Cuts to SNAP, Medicaid could impact free school meals at high-poverty schools
By Mackenzi Klemann
Federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid could affect an unexpected population — students receiving free meals through school.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture relies on eligibility for means-tested programs like SNAP as a benchmark for the Community Eligibility Provision, which is a waiver for high-poverty school districts to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students.
A new report from left-leaning think tank Center for American Progress raises an emerging concern: Schools could lose Community Eligibility Provision status as fewer Hoosiers participate in SNAP and Medicaid, which the group attributes to eligibility rules attached to President Donald Trump's tax and spending law enacted last year.
Smash Daddy’s Burgers, Fries, Etc. participated in the Statehouse Market for around two years. (Courtesy photo)
Food truck removed from Statehouse Market over slogan; could have free speech implications
By Jack Forrest
A food truck that’s been a regular at the Indiana Statehouse’s weekly market for about two years had its participation revoked over a slogan on the side of the vehicle, and one law professor thinks it brings First Amendment questions.
In an email to Smash Daddy’s Burgers, Fries, Etc., a state personnel department official said they’d “received several complaints regarding the slogan” and, as a result, had “been directed to cancel” two upcoming sessions.
Owner Scott Sims said the suggestive saying — “you’ll love our meat in your mouth” — had rarely been an issue before.
COMMENTARY
Schools around the nation are trying out a four-day school week. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)
4-day school week? It has potential — if lawmakers let it
By Niki Kelly
I love that I can still learn new things about state government and public policy, which I have covered for more than 25 years. And that’s what happened when I read our reporter Mackenzi Klemann’s story on four-day school weeks.
It’s a fascinating option that I had not considered before. And I see both pros and cons. My worry, though, is that lawmakers have set such severe guidelines going forward that they've essentially stopped the fledgling program in its tracks.
NATIONAL NEWS
A potential Republican budget reconciliation package would provide up to $60 billion for the Department of Defense. Shown is an aerial view of the Pentagon. (Photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brittany A. Chase/Department of Defense)
US House panel approves $95B GOP-only budget blueprint
By Jennifer Shutt
WASHINGTON — Republicans on the U.S. House Budget Committee approved their budget resolution Thursday, marking one small step forward in the complicated process that could allow the party to enact a third party-line bill.
The 20-14 vote followed hours of debate over amendments from Democrats that sought to roll back pieces of the earlier Republican packages and change how the upcoming process would work. None of the Democratic changes were approved.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Northwest Indiana unions vow to oppose politicians who don't back Bears stadium food tax | Times of Northwest Indiana (paywall)
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