SNAP Enrollment Down 7.5% in Pa, Down in Every State

One result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is a reduction in the number of people receiving SNAP benefits, sometimes known as food stamps. According to Governing, there's been a 7.5% decrease in participation between July '25 and Jan '26. 

This Act imposed work requirements because, at least in the eyes of the Trump administration, there was too much fraud. OBBBA expanded a work requirement to formerly exempt veterans, the homeless, people who’ve aged out of the foster care system, caregivers of children ages 14 or older, immigrants who are human trafficking victims and adults ages 55-64.

Has there been a concomitant 7.5% drop in unemployment claims? Not in Pa. Unemployment here has actually increased from 4.3% to 4.4%.  

Why Did McClure Finish Third in Pa.07 Congressional Race?

On his Facebook page, Lamont McClure wonders how he could have lost the Pa.07 Congressional race in the face of a poll right before the election showing that he had the highest net favorable by about 5%. His favorables are actually much lower than those of John Morganelli when he ran for Congress a few years ago, and he lost as well. The polling might be wrong, but I believe that there are three reasons why McClure fared so poorly. First, Brooks' portrayal of himself as an Everyman resonated. Second, though McClure likely had nothing to do with the negative campaigning by LeanLeft against Brooks and Croswell, it probably backfired. Third, McClure himself made unnecessary enemies during his eight years as NorCo Exec. 

Results are still unofficial, but the combined four county result shows that McClure actually finished 3rd of 4 candidates. Brooks (28,078); Crosswell (14,528), McClure (13,724) and Obando-Derstine (12,136).

A Morning Call account claims McClure lost every district in NorCo, his home county. That is inaccurate. He certainly was blown out in Bethlehem and Easton, but did manage to pick up some voting districts in Bethlehem Tp (where he lives), E Bangor, Lower Saucon, Plainfield, Upper Mt Bethel, Upper Nazareth, Washington and Williams Tp. He lost Wilson Borough, where he was an ardent advocate for the Dixie tax break. His showing was certainly disappointing, but his message reached some voters. Perhaps he should have done better in his home county, but that is Brooks' home county as well. 

Where he really got hammered was in Lehigh County.  Ryan Crosswell, who just moved to the Lehigh Valley in January, beat McClure by 804 votes. McClure was even beaten by Obando-Derstine, and finished 4th in the county that matters most. 

McClure and Crosswell are both attorneys. Their polished style ordinarily would help them, but voters were looking for someone with whom they could identify. Rightly or wrongly, and I believe wrongly, that found that person in Bob Brooks. He had the right message for this race, to say nothing of money and endorsements. 

This campaign was marred by a slurry of negative attacks from a PAC calling itself "LeanLeft". They were aimed at Brooks and Crosswell and attempted to prop up McClure. This group is thought to have been a Republican front, although hard proof is yet to be found. While negative campaigning usually works, it appears to have backfired. I think many voters may have been turned off by the over-the-top attacks as well as the portrayal of McClure as the "progressive."

Finally, McClure has been his own worst enemy. In his eight years as county executive, he made many enemies he never needed to make. He actively worked against the re-election of Lori Vargo Heffner, who as NorCo Council President, voted with him 90% of the time. His frosty style with people who do not know him alienated many county employees, and yes, some of them vote. And I don't know what he was thinking, but it was amazingly stupid for him to call the boss of a county council member just weeks before his election in an attempt to pressure that person to vote for a tax break to facilitate the building of luxury apartments. 

This was McClure's race to lose, and he did.  

Memorial Day: Remember the Young Dead Soldiers

We're a strange bunch. We look forward to Memorial Day as an extra day off from work, a time for picnics and the start of summer. Vice President Kamala Harris tweeted, "Enjoy the long weekend!" Before you bast away at her, she is far from alone. We say "Happy Memorial Day" to each other from the Jersey shore. Few of us take the time to think of, to say nothing of honoring, those who have offered their lives for a freedom we take for granted.

It's always been that way. Even during the Revolutionary War, which started with the Boston Massacre, there was little public regard for those who put themselves in harm's way and lost their lives.

“Good God, are the Americans all asleep and tamely giving up their Liberties?” asked Benedict Arnold, who ultimately sold out himself in bitterness as much as greed.

The very first American to give his life in the cause of liberty was Crispus Attucks. His father was an African-American slave. His mother was a Natick, who were called the "Praying Indians." Little is known about Crispus. Unfortunately, many have followed him. Their lives are summed up in the immortal words of Archibald MacLeish.

The young dead soldiers do not speak.

Nevertheless, they are heard in the still houses:
who has not heard them?

They have a silence that speaks for them at night
and when the clock counts.

They say: We were young. We have died.
Remember us.

They say: We have done what we could
but until it is finished it is not done.

They say: We have given our lives but until it is finished
no one can know what our lives gave.

They say: Our deaths are not ours: they are yours,
they will mean what you make them.

They say: Whether our lives and our deaths were for
peace and a new hope or for nothing we cannot say,
it is you who must say this.

We leave you our deaths. Give them their meaning.
We were young, they say. We have died; remember us.

First published Memorial Day, 2016

Blogger's Addition: I am also touched by the elegant prose that Franklin Delano Roosevelt offered to the families of soldiers who died fighting fascism and genocide during WWII. Each received a certificate that includes these stirring words: "He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live, and grow, and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives - in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men."

Blogger's Note: This was first published in 2025. A reader suggested last week that I create a post paying tribute to those who served and serve. I would, but Memorial Day is for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. 

Zrinski: NorCo Budget Shortchanges Retirees and Gracedale - State Budget Shortchanges Seniors

I told you that NorCo Exec Tara Zrinski was a big hit at the recent retirees' luncheon. She talked about it during her report to County Council at last night's meeting. What's more, she spoke about how recent county budgets have shortchanged both retirees and Gracedale, She added that the state budget is having an increasingly adverse impact on seniors. 

Here's the bad news for retirees: "Retirees are very concerned that a contribution was not budgeted, in part of 2025, falling behind by $4 million in all of 2026, neglecting a payment of $11.6 million. Each year, in October, we receive a recommendation from our actuaries called the actuarily determined contribution. Or ADC. Now, that doesn't mean we're $16 million at a deficit. If we make the ADC this year, we believe we'll be back on track. We are currently at a 90% funded rate. Thank you to the fine investment by PFM that they have made on behalf of our county and our retirees. But we know that the sum that we are going to have to contribute is several million dollars, and that was not in the 2026 budget. Thus, when we say the 2026 budget is working as it was designed, we are saying it was designed to not fund the pension in 2026. That trend cannot and will not continue."

The actuarily determined contribution for the pension fund in 2025 was $12.8 million, but the Lamont McClure administration only kicked in $8.2 million. In 2026, the actuarily determined contribution was $11.6 million, but McClure's budget opted to pay nothing. 

The county also maintains a retiree healthcare fund to cover the medical expenses of retirees entitled to them. In 2025, the actuarily determined contribution for this fund was $2.6 million. McClure shortchanged it by a million. In 2026, the actuarily determined contribution for retiree healthcare was $2.2 million. McClure paid nothing.

Here's the bad news about Gracedale, which already received a $7 million county contribution this year to fill in last year's deficit: "[T]here will be some county contribution to Gradceale. That will most likely be several million dollars that was also not budgeted in the 2026 budget."

Say what? When former Exec Lamont McClure proposed the 2026 budget from Gracedale's chapel, he stated that Gracedale would need no county contribution. The Administrator, Michelle Morton, told County Council her budget was balanced. Both of these statements are apparently untrue. 

Finally, there's bad news for seniors. Zrinski has previously said the Area Agency of Aging was getting shortchanged $400,000 this year, which has resulted in the closure of two senior centers. But last night, she warned of more cuts. "[T]he state has informed us that in our 2027 budget allocation, the area agency on aging should be, the allocation should be estimated at the 2018 2019 levels." She would like to continue offering the same services to seniors as they currently receive. "I would like to offer more services, or at least the ones that we're currently offering to seniors at the level that our seniors need to maintain their health, their quality of life, and well being."

Zrinski went on to say that a 1991 County Council resolution prevents the county from paying more for  for human services beyond the match it receives from the state, and she suggested that be repealed. 

There's no need if it is only a resolution. A County Council binds neither the Executive nor future Councils. That would require an ordinance. 

I will have lots more about County Council and its committees next week. 

Boulette Responds to Criticism of Human Relations Ordinance

I recently told you that Northampton County is looking for applicants to the newly created Human Relations Commission. I consider that in and of itself a good sign. It's a sign of transparency. As an old fart who lives with other seniors as well as the disabled, I'd apply except that it would compromise my independence as a bottom-feeding blogger. This detailed and well-written ordinance was authored by Council member Jason Boulette.  It's obvious he put a lot of work into it.  My sole concern was whether we were creating another bureaucracy that would just eat up tax dollars while being otherwise meaningless. But during the public hearing before this ordinance was unanimously adopted, that concern was put to rest by Liz Bradberry of Lehigh County's Human Relations Commission. They've spent $136 over two years. 

Some of you had other concerns. Boulette took the time to respond to concerns and criticisms in my story about this, and I want to share what he said:

Some replies to a few of the comments here.

"This is nothing but the latest scheme to undermine our judicial system."

This doesn't really qualify as a "latest scheme." The local commission is authorized under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act of 1955, which created the state's Human Relations Commission and specifically empowered lower level governments to create their own. Aside from being on the books for 71 years, this law has been repeatedly updated and affirmed by the state legislature and the governors on a bipartisan basis.

"Isn’t a courtroom with an impartial judge or jury the proper place to resolve such claims?"

The Human Relations Commission doesn't foreclose anyone's rights to an impartial judge or jury. If someone feels aggrieved by the actions or inactions of the Commission, the Court of Common Pleas is still available as a recourse.

"Instead, they are setting up a commission of seven people with an agenda do determine guilt or innocence."

It's not really about guilt or innocence. In the other counties that have implemented commissions in recent years, they've yet to actually level penalties against anyone -- each case has been able to be resolved through mediation. And I'm hopeful that's the outcome we'll get here in Northampton County.

"Since this will be a quasi-judicial bodyI’ll presume it will be banned by law from recording and being televised, so if you want watch this disaster, you’ll have to travel to the courthouse at watch it person. Another way to limit people from really knowing whats going on."

The meetings are required to conform to the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act. The ordinance authorizes virtual meetings, and the Commission will be encouraged to meet virtually (with open access to the general public) precisely because it's easier for people to attend. It is not, in fact, banned by law from being recorded or televised. On the contrary, it is required to maintain minutes of meetings and recordings of any hearing.

"I like Jason's approach to his office-thoughtful and considered. But this seems like a solution in search of a problem"

I appreciate the kind words. I don't expect the caseload for the Commission to be massive, but I do think this ordinance is needed. Further, the past two years have seen similar ordinances passed in Lehigh, Montgomery, and Delaware Counties. So I don't see any reason for Northampton not to join their ranks in prohibiting discrimination.

"Who will perform investigations for the Commission? Do they need volunteers for that function too?"

The members of the Commission can serve as investigators with limited (and discretionary) assistance from county personnel.

"You are absolutely right, this is just Jason trying to make a name for himself for his next office run."

I have a full time job I'm happy with and I'm not looking any further ahead than the office I was elected to.

Will You Vote for Brooks in the General?

I told you yesterday that I have no intention of voting for Bob Brooks in the Congressional election this year. I will also decline to vote for incumbent Ryan Mackenzie. This happened two years ago. When I learned that Congress member Susan Wild was parking in handicapped spots, she lost my vote. I opted to vote for Lew Shupe instead. But I am far less partisan than some Democrats. I refuse to vote for a person just because he's a member of my tribe. Wha about more partisan Democrats who actually worked Congressional races and helped run campaigns? 

Rich Wilkins is such a person. This is what he says on his Apocalypse Vibes blog:

"The guy is a racist, let’s face it, you can’t find a famous black guy he likes (hello Barack Obama and Colin Kaepernick). I want no part in electing this guy. If that costs us the House, maybe the Democratic Party should be better. I’ve said for a long time that I’m not a “vote blue no matter who” type. Well, that’s going to be put to the test here. I broke down and voted for Fetterman at the 11th hour in 2022. I’ve regretted it ever since."