On October 3rd, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a Proposed Rule on the Standardization of State Heating and Cooling Standard Utility Allowances. The regulation would prevent states from establishing utility and housing allowances when determining Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This provision allows individuals and families who spend more than half their income […]

By Marie Camino Last month, the Department of Labor (DOL) published its final overtime rule , which revises provisions within the Fair Labor Standards Act that pertain to minimum wage and overtime pay exemptions for executive, administrative, and professional employees. The rule will raise the salary threshold for overtime exemptions from $455 weekly to $684 […]

By Marie Camino As Higher Education Act Reauthorization negotiations continue, The National Assembly continues to track its progress and prioritize the following issues. Maintain and Expand Pell Grants The Federal Pell Grant Program is the single largest source of grant aid for postsecondary education attendance funded by the federal government. The Federal Pell Grant Program provides […]

By Zachary Tashman The Older Americans Act (OAA), first passed in 1965, authorizes a range of services and programs that ensure senior citizens remain independent and able to meaningfully participate in their communities. In 2016, 11.3 million older adults were served by programs authorized under the OAA. These programs include providing seniors with 45.2 million […]

By Zachary Tashman What is Child Nutrition Reauthorization? Child Nutrition reauthorization refers to the process of updating and making changes to multiple child nutrition programs and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The reauthorization process encompasses many programs that provide supports and services that help children and families afford food, […]