Melody Butler

03/02/2026

In January, Governor Hochul released her FY2027 Executive Budget. We appreciate that this budget made significant investments to state nutrition programs including proposed funding for the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP) at $72.8M and Nourish New York at $55M.

Food insecurity impacts almost 3 million New Yorkers and more specifically, over 300,000 Long Islanders. We stand with Feeding New York State in calling for a final version of the budget which includes:

$75 Million for Nourish New York Program (NNY)
$75 Million for the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP)


These two critical hunger relief programs equip Long Island Cares and food banks across the state with the food and operational support necessary to feed New Yorkers.

Please take a moment to join this petition here which sends a customizable message directly to Governor Hochul and your representatives in the New York State Legislature. Our goal is to have 1,500 Long Islanders sign on in support. Please join us in this worthy advocacy campaign.

https://feedingnys.quorum.us/campaign/150722/?utm_campaign=HPNAP+NNY+Petition&fbclid=IwdGRjcAQS4ZljbGNrBBLhlGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHqeH6hTa91WhaGJWfowkfNnPZsc6jQO_OUE6k8PnmpOXSEw2K5aqypt-kGLr_aem_4mCR58CGmhFaq1wtLxCxJA

Tell State Government to Fund Hunger Relief Programs Now

02/12/2026

February 11, 2026: The House has passed the SAVE America Act by a vote of 218-213; Rep. Cuellar (D-TX) was the lone vote that crossed party lines. The bill now moves to the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Thune has promised a floor vote on the bill, though it's path to 60 votes is unclear.

Despite unfounded claims to the contrary, there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud. The SAVE Act is designed to block eligible people from voting, not to protect elections. Demand your representatives oppose the SAVE Act and protect voting rights for all.

Updates February 11, 2026: The House has passed the SAVE America Act by a vote of 218-213; Rep. Cuellar (D-TX) was the lone vote that crossed party …

02/03/2026

The doctored photo was the latest example of a history of racialized propaganda that has been weaponized against Black people, especially in eras in which they are challenging the government.

“It goes back to the images of slavery, but also of Jim Crow abuse by law enforcement, and that abuse with impunity to send a message to the Black community as a whole that we are going to not only assault but humiliate Black people who join in protest effort across the country,” said Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, a law professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York.

President Trump and the White House regularly circulate imagery that has been manipulated by A.I. But the photo of Nekima Levy Armstrong was different.

01/10/2026

10/31/2025

Jesus didn’t ask whether the hungry deserved bread. He said: give it to them.

10/30/2025

10/10/2025

Emergency Medicaid for undocumented immigrants made up only 0.4% of total Medicaid spending in 2022, a new study found.

Emergency Medicaid is a limited form of Medicaid that pays for emergency medical care for people who meet all the usual Medicaid requirements except U.S. citizenship or legal immigration status.

Researchers looked at financial management report data for fiscal year 2022 from the Medicaid Budget and Expenditure System.

Of the 38 states that had data and Washington, D.C., the team found that emergency Medicaid spending for undocumented immigrants amounted to about $9.63 for every resident in those states, according to the research letter. https://abcnews.visitlink.me/eBMetq

10/07/2025

10/03/2025

Trump and Republicans made devastating cuts to Medicaid and plan to let vital healthcare subsidies expire. Millions on Medicaid will lose coverage. Millions could see their ACA premiums skyrocket. This is happening in order to finance tax cuts for the richest Americans. Every lie Trump and Republicans tell about this shutdown is a cover up.

10/02/2025

The aim of affirmative action is to fight for equality.

09/30/2025

09/25/2025

This is not the flex they think it is.