Facing a deadline just days away, New Jersey lawmakers Wednesday night introduced and quickly began approving a record new $56.6 billion state budget that’s backed by a new tax hike on large companies, adds some funding for property-tax relief, and includes big spending on public schools and pensions.But Democratic leaders once again faced objections from … Read more
Hungry people in the U.S. faced a .1 billion shortfall in funds for basic food needs in 2022, with nearly half of them not qualifying for aid. This was the highest shortfall in 20 years due to higher food prices. Hunger rose in 2022 amid high food price inflation and the end of federal financial support and expanded food aid programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly half of food-insecure people may not qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Congress has expanded funding for a key nutrition program serving mothers and young children to address the issue.