Welcome to The Gov Hub Newsletter by Girl and the Gov®. This weekly pop of politics is designed to share action items, resources, and quick links to civic engagement tools and topics to inboxes far and wide.

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The Action Items

ACTION 1:

The Ask: Tell your [federal] representatives to protect SNAP.

The Action: Send your reps this digital note urging them to protect SNAP.

The Background: SNAP or to spell it out, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program which provides a lifeline to families, individuals, and children across the country, reduces hunger and enables people in need to access food. The program is continually the focus for Republicans who have their eyes on a budget cut of over $40 million that will result in more Americans going hungry. That is also after the SNAP Emergency Allotments have ended, drastically reducing what families and individuals are allotted for food per day ($6.00/person), which paired with inflation, makes ‘making that work’ near impossible. Strengthening SNAP and ensuring its funding and its delivery is needed – not cuts.

ACTION 2: Nebraska

The Ask: Nebraskans, say NO to LB 626, which would ban abortion starting at 6 weeks.

The Action: Send your state senator a digital note. Then, if you’re able, sign up to attend the debate on April 12 with ACLU Nebraska.

The Background: The Nebraska legislature has brought LB 626 to the table, a bill that would ban abortion in the state starting at six weeks, which is well before most people know that they’re pregnant. The ban, like others, is incredibly dangerous for pregnant people, and its exceptions are vague, because of course they are. According to ACLU Nebraska, 17 state senators are needed to hold a filibuster against debate on this bill, which is worth noting when reaching out to your representative.

New On Girl and the Gov, The Podcast

The latest interview episode brings back the show’s very first guest to the mic – NextGen America’s National Press Secretary, Kristi Johnston. She’s a riot, she’s the best, she’s the queen of Hinge, and she knows how to get young voters to the polls. No, like she conceived of and executed on dating app organizing, which just really sets the stage for what’s to come – innovation in organizing. Naturally, the gals chatted about that and about young voters in general – how they rolled in ‘22 and when we’ll learn more about this crew's turnout. The youth voter piece is a huge topic, and the gals get into it. Listen on Apple, tune in on Spotify, watch on YouTube (and subscribe while you’re there).

As for the next Top Stories episode, that will be dropping tomorrow. If you’re playing catch up, pop last week’s edition on. And if you feel so inclined, pretty please leave the pod a rate and review – helps us get more of y’all in the know with the show. Thank you in advance x 10.

Pro Podcast Tip: Download your episodes. By downloading your episodes, you’re able to listen to fave shows on the go. No wi-fi? No problem. Bad service? Same story.

Back On Our BILLsh*t

New bills, new BILLsh*t. We’re always keeping an eye out for the bills that make us go YAY and the ones that make us scream NAY. A few recent bills of note that floated our boat:

• In California, State Senator Aisha Wahab has introduced a bill that would outlaw caste discrimination. This bill would add caste as a protected category within California’s anti-discrimination laws, and be following Seattle’s lead, which added caste to its anti-discrimination laws this winter.

• In Washington state, HB 1240, an assault weapons ban passed the [state] House and the Senate. Yes, that’s right, an assault weapons ban in Washington state passed. Now, the bill takes a trip back to the House for a vote on Senate revisions, and then to Governor’s Inslee’s desk for signature.

…and bills that need to get the boot:

• Despite gun violence being the #1 killer of young people in the U-S-of- A, the South Carolina GOP moved a bill forward that would allow South Carolinians to legally carry a handgun with zero training. People are trained to drive cars, but guns? Nah, that would be too logical.

• Montana Republicans are saying “we’ll win if we change the rules” with a bill [ SB 566 ] that quite literally changes election rules in the state. The rule change would allow for a jungle primary, instead of a party primary. In a jungle primary, the two top winners, regardless of party affiliation, move on to the general election. The apparent strategy is that it would box out 3rd party candidates and bolster the Republican numbers, potentially ousting Democratic Senator Jon Tester who is running for re-election in ‘24. Also of note, this rule is targeted at Tester’s race, as it’s set to sunset in ‘25.

Pro Tip: Make your life easier, add your reps’ office number to your contacts. And for good measure, make sure you’re registered to vote.

Read All About It

The news cycle of the last 1.5 weeks has been wilder than any of the Hangover movies, and it has certainly produced quite a few must-reads. A few that caught our eye:

• Clarence Thomas and the Billionaire should be the title of a book on the cult of corruption in the courts, but for now it’s an article from ProPublica. Also worth noting - a few court reforms that interestingly enough get bipartisan support.

• ‘Democrat, who? Never met her!’ is exactly what North Carolina state Rep. Tricia Cotham is saying about herself after switching party affiliation from Democrat to Republican last week. Aside from entirely sidestepping the platform and values that her 60% Democratic district voted for when elected her to office, her super shady move gives state Republicans a veto-proof supermajority. That’s rightfully putting people in fright or fight mode, with the implications of this move on everything from abortion access to voting rights to LGBTQ+ rights and more being major.

• Nearly 70% of races went uncontested in the 2022 midterms. No, like legit 70% of races just had either an incumbent saying “your choice is me, me, and also me” to voters or a newbie that no one challenged. The numbers get wilder and wilder, and honestly we may have given ourselves whiplash with how much SMH-ing we did while reading ‘em all. That said, there’s hope on the horizon thanks to BallotReady’s tool – Recruitment Engine – a one-stop-shop of needed details for anyone thinking about running for office, sharing what positions a person is eligible to run for, what’s required to do so, and more.

• ‘23 has been a heck of a year for Tennessee politically already [reminder: it’s only April], from it’s historic anti-drag law that was just put on hold, to the retaliation of the legislature toward Nashville by cutting council from 40 seats to 20, to the anti-democratic expulsion of two Black Democratic lawmakers for standing with protestors in the fight for gun reform – and not expelling their white colleague. Now, we could talk about how one of the Republicans “focused on decorum” tried to publicly ‘pants’ his child’s basketball ref (TBH, hadn’t heard the term ‘pantsing someone’ since middle school) or the Republican debacle involving revenge and peeing on another reps seat….but instead we’ll finally get to the update, which is that the Nashville City Metro Council will vote today to reinstate former Rep. Justin Jones [that’s his neck of the woods, Pearson reps a different area and is subject to the Shelby County Commission instead]. In the silver linings department is the engagement between citizens and the metro council. Additionally, the eyes on Tennessee is putting a spotlight on the deep need for building Democratic infrastructure in the heavily gerrymandered state, which you can help build via Brian Derrick’s OATH campaign.

Subscribe while you scroll, sign up for The Gov Hub Newsletter here if you’re not already on the list.

Bookmark It

Don’t lose the link, bookmark it, and revisit and reload.

Transgender.NJ.gov: Governor of the Jerz, Phil Murphy signed an executive order making NJ a trans safe haven state for those seeking gender affirming care. In doing so, the state also launched a website chock full of helpful resources for trans residents of the state, from deats on how to change one’s name, how and where to seek medical attention, info on rights, services, programs, and more. The resource is set to help NJ’s more than 30,000 transgender and non-binary residents.

NEBRASKANS FOR ABORTION ACCESS: The result of an amazing coalition of groups coming together [ACLU of Nebraska, I Be Black Girl, Nebraska Abortion Resources, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska, and Women’s Fund of Omaha], this must bookmark resource is the digital HQ for protecting reproductive freedom in Nebraska. The website has updates on legislation and how to contact one’s state rep, the steps for writing a letter to the editor [a hidden gem activism tool], and loads of toolkits including one to use when looking to stop a local abortion ban.

Save & Sends

Sometimes you have to save it, sometimes you have to send it, and sometimes you have to do both when it comes to a social media post. And that is very much the case with this roundup, which will be finding their way right into your group chat.

• It’s amazing that these Republicans hate drag so much, because honestly, they look fab-u-lan-tastic in it here. Like Mitch, pop off, okay?? Ted Cruz? You too! No, but seriously this is the best use of AI we’ve seen in a minute and a must-follow.

• This Ohio rep is trying out TikTok and throwing out f bombs. We might be biased but this weekly bit might be good for him and for other politicos creating content on socials.

• Which is easier to get in Florida? An abortion or a gun? Dr. Lincoln answers that Q for you.

• If you can review make-up, you can also review a town hall.

• Countess Luann did something rather shah-mazing and used her platform for good.

• The Biden Administration tried to sneak this sell out of the Trans community under the rug in the into-the-weekend news cycle. Just like with the Willow Project, we see you sir.

• Speaking of the into-the-weekend, “maybe they won’t notice” approach to releasing news, a Texas Judge ruled on abortion pills, trying to make one of the two illegal. Currently, you can still get them, but the future is gray.

RSVP, YES PLEASE

Add to calendar, add to calendar, and again, add to calendar with these politically and civically charged events. RSVP, register, and rockin’ roll on over to these must-attends.

Guns Without Borders hosted by Center for American Progress & Network to Prevent Gun Violence in the Americas

About: The virtual event aims to highlight many facets of the global health burden that gun violence creates, and dive into the regulation and policy solutions that can alter its future. The conversation looks to elevate and outline enforcement mechanisms, legal strategies, and largely how the U.S. gun industry can and should be held accountable around the world.

When & Where: April 17, 2023; Noon EST

RSVP: Add this event to your calendar.

NextGen Organizing: Green Week Dating - Find Your (Cli)mate or Best Bud

About: NextGen knows a thing or two about dating app organizing, and the org is bringing the concept to 4/20 to advocate for climate justice and the legalization of marijuana. Using dating apps aka relational organizing 2.0, aptly timed conversations on climate and maryjane will be had.

When & Where: April 20, 2023; 5:00-6:00pm EST

RSVP: Sign me up.

29 Million Dreams

About: The NYCLU is hosting a free pop-up art and performance exhibit in NY that’s designed to showcase how $29 million spent by the NYPD per day could be used to create ‘the safe, connected, and thriving city we dream of.’ The exhibition is IRL and runs from April 28-May 6.

When & Where: April 28 - May 6, 2023; 10:00am- 8:00pm EST; 216 Lafayette Street, NY, NY 10012

RSVP: Register and roll through.

From the official office of…

It’s D2C, a direct to constituent message, and in this case resource for you to peruse and send to a relevant pal.

KENTUCKY: From the Governor’s desk to here, a reminder for residents to check to see if they’re eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program [ACP], which creates an affordable way for households to access high-speed internet. The program – courtesy of the bipartisan infrastructure law – provides eligible households with:

• a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service

• a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price

Eligibility and further details can be found here.

ELECTION SZN:

The following have said put me in coach for….

Candidate Watch ‘23

• Former Tennessee Representative Justin Pearson is running for the special election that will be held to fill the seat he was expelled from and will likely be reappointed to – but yes, also will have to run for. Semantics aside, learn more about his campaign here.

• Former Tennessee Representative Justin Jones is following the same path as his colleague Justin Pearson. Learn more about his campaign here.

Candidate Watch ‘24

• California Assemblymember Akilah Weber announced that she is running for California State Senate. Learn more about her campaign here.

• Ashley Ehasz has shared that she is running for Congress in Pennsylvania. Learn more about her campaign here.

• PA Senator Bob Casey has announced that he’s running for re-election. Learn more about his campaign here.

The Gov Club

Focused on political networking and community amongst civically engaged besties, The Gov Club provides members access to free virtual networking events, 1v1s, and connect with one another. The Gov Club has also made moves from its old Slack channel home to the Geneva platform to make connecting with one another easy as pie. Sign up for the Gov Club, here.

Comms Corner

Step into the Political Podcasting Game

Thinking about dipping a toe into podcasting? Already have a podcast but not sure how to take it to the next level? Girl and the Gov® can help bring it from daydream to reality. The company’s podcast consulting service is designed to assist political organizations, thought leaders, and elected officials launch podcasts unique to their expertise and target audience. The service is built to be comprehensive in nature, and covers everything from structural design to best practices to graphics, and launch strategy. The offering menu includes an option for every step of the way, all which start with a Discovery Call:

• BYOP, Build Your Own Podcast: Girl and the Gov®’s Build Your Own Podcast service is designed to bring podcasts from the ideation phase to launch. This is built for clients who’ve determined that they are going to start a podcast and need help navigating how to do it.

• The Brainstorm Sesh: Girl and the Gov®’s Brainstorm Sesh service is designed to walk potential podcasters through their moodboard of ideas and help them determine what next steps they want to take – to take the step into podcasting or to keep thinking on big ideas. This is for clients considering podcasting but have not launched a podcast yet.

• Podcast Audits: Girl and the Gov®’s Podcast Audit service provides a comprehensive review of the client’s existing show with the goal of identifying areas of improvement. This is for clients with existing podcasts at any stage.

Book a Discovery Call today.

Social Media, From Zero to Hero

Think it’s time for a social media audit? Girl and the Gov® can help with that. Get up to speed on what needs to stay, and what needs to go on your social media accounts for it to go from zero to hero. Book a Discovery Call to learn more about Girl and the Gov®’s Social Media Audits.

#VIRAL, The Newsletter

Skip the meeting, make it an email – subscribe to Girl and the Gov®’s paid newsletter, #VIRAL, dedicated to providing the 411 on the social media trends, tricks and tips, and how-to’s for politicos is hitting inboxes with a splash, weekly. A sample of the newsletter, which we dub ‘social media consulting to your inbox,’ can be viewed here, and you can subscribe here.

Other tings of note on the comms front:

For pitches, PR, partnerships, and collaborations, and more, send all details to [email protected].