Emily TeKolste
@emtekolste.bsky.social
gardening | social justice | mental health
Violating our freedom to live in a safe and healthy environment.
The Trump administration this week moved to weaken the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, among other deregulatory moves. If the proposals are finalized and upheld in court, they could reshape U.S. environmental policy for years to come, environmental lawyers and activists said.
In One Week, Trump Moves to Reshape U.S. Environmental Policy
The Trump administration this week moved to weaken the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, two bedrock laws, among other deregulatory moves.
nyti.ms
November 22, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Violating our freedom to live in a safe and healthy environment.
LET'S GO! It's clear that when we organize, we can win. The many just defeated the money.
www.wthr.com/article/news...
www.wthr.com/article/news...
'Not enough votes' | Indiana Senate will not meet to vote on redistricting
Indiana State Senate President Rod Bray says there are not enough votes in the Senate and so they will not meet in December.
www.wthr.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:42 PM
LET'S GO! It's clear that when we organize, we can win. The many just defeated the money.
www.wthr.com/article/news...
www.wthr.com/article/news...
Reposted by Emily TeKolste
When people working full-time still need help putting food on the table, we know the system is failing.
Workers deserve a living wage, not just survival. https://seiu.co/43mAOdC
Workers deserve a living wage, not just survival. https://seiu.co/43mAOdC
Working families drive 70% surge in West Michigan food bank demand
Food bank demand in West Michigan climbed 70% since 2021, driven by inflation and stagnant wages, according to Feeding America West Michigan.
seiu.co
November 11, 2025 at 12:31 AM
When people working full-time still need help putting food on the table, we know the system is failing.
Workers deserve a living wage, not just survival. https://seiu.co/43mAOdC
Workers deserve a living wage, not just survival. https://seiu.co/43mAOdC
Reposted by Emily TeKolste
If you got NOTHING real, it is not a “deal”
November 10, 2025 at 3:38 AM
If you got NOTHING real, it is not a “deal”
Amazing to see hundreds of Hoosiers from Vigo County and the surrounding areas come out today to tell State Sen. Greg Goode how we oppose gerrymandering our state on the orders of the President. Nearly every person who spoke was there to oppose the scheme, and we didn’t have time for all to speak.
November 1, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Amazing to see hundreds of Hoosiers from Vigo County and the surrounding areas come out today to tell State Sen. Greg Goode how we oppose gerrymandering our state on the orders of the President. Nearly every person who spoke was there to oppose the scheme, and we didn’t have time for all to speak.
The President has money to fund SNAP. In fact, he’s required to fund the program. But he refuses to, in an attempt to force a false choice between food for those who need it and affordable healthcare for those who need it. This isn’t leadership. It’s evil.
Food banks across the U.S. were stretched thin even before the federal government shut down. Rising food prices had driven a growing number of people to their doors. Cuts to federal programs had left them with less to give. Now, that system is anticipating an even greater surge in demand.
Food Banks in U.S. Brace for Surging Demand as SNAP Aid Cutoff Looms
Growing need and decreased resources are squeezing the charitable food system beyond its capacity, leaders say.
nyti.ms
October 26, 2025 at 7:55 PM
The President has money to fund SNAP. In fact, he’s required to fund the program. But he refuses to, in an attempt to force a false choice between food for those who need it and affordable healthcare for those who need it. This isn’t leadership. It’s evil.
Reposted by Emily TeKolste
Congress must act now to stop millions from losing healthcare.
Cuts to Medicaid + letting ACA tax credits lapse = massive harm to families, children & seniors. NETWORK calls on the House to undo these measures in the Continuing Resolution.
Read the full release: networklobby.org/news/91925-cr/
Cuts to Medicaid + letting ACA tax credits lapse = massive harm to families, children & seniors. NETWORK calls on the House to undo these measures in the Continuing Resolution.
Read the full release: networklobby.org/news/91925-cr/
Catholic Lobby Encourages House to Undo Damaging Healthcare Measures in Continuing Resolution - NETWORK Lobby
As the House prepares to vote, we at NETWORK urge our representatives to change course before it’s too late and extend the premium tax credits.
networklobby.org
September 19, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Congress must act now to stop millions from losing healthcare.
Cuts to Medicaid + letting ACA tax credits lapse = massive harm to families, children & seniors. NETWORK calls on the House to undo these measures in the Continuing Resolution.
Read the full release: networklobby.org/news/91925-cr/
Cuts to Medicaid + letting ACA tax credits lapse = massive harm to families, children & seniors. NETWORK calls on the House to undo these measures in the Continuing Resolution.
Read the full release: networklobby.org/news/91925-cr/
Reposted by Emily TeKolste
Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” gives the richest 10% a $13,600 boost, while the poorest Americans lose $1,200 a year from cuts to food aid, Medicaid, and other vital programs.
This isn’t trickle-down, it’s a shake-down.
apnews.com/article/trum...
This isn’t trickle-down, it’s a shake-down.
apnews.com/article/trum...
Trump's tax law will mostly benefit the rich, while leaving poorer Americans with less, CBO says
President Donald Trump’s tax and spending law will result in less income for the poorest Americans while sending money to the riches, according to a new report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budge...
apnews.com
August 16, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” gives the richest 10% a $13,600 boost, while the poorest Americans lose $1,200 a year from cuts to food aid, Medicaid, and other vital programs.
This isn’t trickle-down, it’s a shake-down.
apnews.com/article/trum...
This isn’t trickle-down, it’s a shake-down.
apnews.com/article/trum...
Reposted by Emily TeKolste
Erie Advocates are showing up.
Last week’s Gridley Park rally spotlighted the impact of federal budget cuts on food access — as local need has jumped 40%.
📍 Erie, PA
📰 www.yourerie.com/news/local-n...
Last week’s Gridley Park rally spotlighted the impact of federal budget cuts on food access — as local need has jumped 40%.
📍 Erie, PA
📰 www.yourerie.com/news/local-n...
Activists rally for organizations feeding those in need at Gridley Park
A rally focused on hunger issues in Erie County was organized by Network Erie on Thursday night. Activists gathered in Gridley Park to listen to a number of speakers from agencies in Erie County th…
www.yourerie.com
July 26, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Erie Advocates are showing up.
Last week’s Gridley Park rally spotlighted the impact of federal budget cuts on food access — as local need has jumped 40%.
📍 Erie, PA
📰 www.yourerie.com/news/local-n...
Last week’s Gridley Park rally spotlighted the impact of federal budget cuts on food access — as local need has jumped 40%.
📍 Erie, PA
📰 www.yourerie.com/news/local-n...
In case you’re wondering, I never trust men who say “I’m sincerely curious….” They’re obviously not.
Also, very creepy that you saw me on the news and felt it was your right to stalk me on social media and send me a direct message.
Also, very creepy that you saw me on the news and felt it was your right to stalk me on social media and send me a direct message.
July 24, 2025 at 1:58 AM
In case you’re wondering, I never trust men who say “I’m sincerely curious….” They’re obviously not.
Also, very creepy that you saw me on the news and felt it was your right to stalk me on social media and send me a direct message.
Also, very creepy that you saw me on the news and felt it was your right to stalk me on social media and send me a direct message.
Reposted by Emily TeKolste
Trump's Big Ugly Law will kick 17 million Americans off their health care.
44% of our neighbors here in Philly count on Medicaid.
Even if you aren't on Medicaid, these cuts will force health centers, nursing homes, and hospitals to close.
It's just plain wrong.
44% of our neighbors here in Philly count on Medicaid.
Even if you aren't on Medicaid, these cuts will force health centers, nursing homes, and hospitals to close.
It's just plain wrong.
July 14, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Trump's Big Ugly Law will kick 17 million Americans off their health care.
44% of our neighbors here in Philly count on Medicaid.
Even if you aren't on Medicaid, these cuts will force health centers, nursing homes, and hospitals to close.
It's just plain wrong.
44% of our neighbors here in Philly count on Medicaid.
Even if you aren't on Medicaid, these cuts will force health centers, nursing homes, and hospitals to close.
It's just plain wrong.
Yesterday, the Senate passed this bill. It now goes back to the House. Call your Representative and tell them to vote NO.
"In 2023, Indiana nearly led the nation with the second largest drop in overdose deaths. But those successes didn’t come overnight — they were the result of our policy wins that some of our lawmakers want to roll back."
www.tribstar.com/opinion/colu...
www.tribstar.com/opinion/colu...
Guest Column: Indiana’s addiction recovery progress under threat with Trump’s budget bill
In 2023, Indiana nearly led the nation with the second largest drop in overdose deaths. But those successes didn’t come overnight — they were the result of our policy wins
www.tribstar.com
July 2, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Yesterday, the Senate passed this bill. It now goes back to the House. Call your Representative and tell them to vote NO.
Reposted by Emily TeKolste
“If Medicaid is cut, my patients will die. I realize I am being dramatic. It is a dramatic situation,” said Helen Pope, a physician in Louisiana and assistant professor of medicine at Tulane University, in a statement to Senate staffers.
truthout.org/articles/my-...
truthout.org/articles/my-...
Doctors Warn Medicaid Cuts in Senate Budget Bill Will Kill Their Patients
Protests against Medicaid cuts continued on June 25, which led to the arrests of 60 activists at the Senate.
truthout.org
June 29, 2025 at 11:39 PM
“If Medicaid is cut, my patients will die. I realize I am being dramatic. It is a dramatic situation,” said Helen Pope, a physician in Louisiana and assistant professor of medicine at Tulane University, in a statement to Senate staffers.
truthout.org/articles/my-...
truthout.org/articles/my-...
Key word: “appear.” It’s not actually cheaper. They’re just playing with accounting tricks.
The Senate took Trump's tax plan and made it appear nearly 90% cheaper.
Republicans changed how its cost was calculated in a way that would omit the estimated $4.2 trillion the plan would add to the national debt.
Republicans changed how its cost was calculated in a way that would omit the estimated $4.2 trillion the plan would add to the national debt.
Senate excludes trillions in debt to make Trump’s tax bill seem cheaper
Traditional estimates say that Trump’s tax package will add about $4 trillion to the national debt. Senate Republicans have slashed that number by changing the way Congress does its accounting.
www.washingtonpost.com
June 28, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Key word: “appear.” It’s not actually cheaper. They’re just playing with accounting tricks.
It's not talked about as often as some of the other provisions, but the Big Bad Budget Bill currently in the Senate offers $200 billion in tax breaks for sending jobs and profits overseas. Just one of the many, many, many problems in this bill.
www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
www.usnews.com
June 27, 2025 at 5:58 PM
It's not talked about as often as some of the other provisions, but the Big Bad Budget Bill currently in the Senate offers $200 billion in tax breaks for sending jobs and profits overseas. Just one of the many, many, many problems in this bill.
www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
“You don’t have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens asking for a judicial warrant.”
Clearly well-trained and practiced in staying calm.
Y’all. This is what we’ve been talking about. Masked ICE agents coming after us. All of us.
substack.com/@robertreich...
Clearly well-trained and practiced in staying calm.
Y’all. This is what we’ve been talking about. Masked ICE agents coming after us. All of us.
substack.com/@robertreich...
Robert Reich on Substack
substack.com
June 27, 2025 at 10:48 AM
“You don’t have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens asking for a judicial warrant.”
Clearly well-trained and practiced in staying calm.
Y’all. This is what we’ve been talking about. Masked ICE agents coming after us. All of us.
substack.com/@robertreich...
Clearly well-trained and practiced in staying calm.
Y’all. This is what we’ve been talking about. Masked ICE agents coming after us. All of us.
substack.com/@robertreich...
It's a little past Juneteenth, but Facebook reminded me of this blog from a few years ago. It's very relevant in the face of the continued fight for reparations, the backlash to racial progress, *and* the Bad Budget Bill that threatens to set us even further.
messyjesusbusiness.com/2022/06/23/t...
messyjesusbusiness.com/2022/06/23/t...
Truth-telling and Healing for Racial Reconciliation - Messy Jesus Business
We have learned that the work of the Civil Rights Movement isn’t done. We have a lot more truth-telling to do. Only when we begin to do this work of truth-telling can we begin to repair the harm and r...
messyjesusbusiness.com
June 24, 2025 at 1:48 PM
It's a little past Juneteenth, but Facebook reminded me of this blog from a few years ago. It's very relevant in the face of the continued fight for reparations, the backlash to racial progress, *and* the Bad Budget Bill that threatens to set us even further.
messyjesusbusiness.com/2022/06/23/t...
messyjesusbusiness.com/2022/06/23/t...
Reposted by Emily TeKolste
Here's the truth about tax cuts for the rich.
They explode the federal debt, fuel giant profits at the biggest firms and financial institutions, and stoke a surge in billionaire wealth but do nothing for average working people.
Nothing trickles down.
They explode the federal debt, fuel giant profits at the biggest firms and financial institutions, and stoke a surge in billionaire wealth but do nothing for average working people.
Nothing trickles down.
June 22, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Here's the truth about tax cuts for the rich.
They explode the federal debt, fuel giant profits at the biggest firms and financial institutions, and stoke a surge in billionaire wealth but do nothing for average working people.
Nothing trickles down.
They explode the federal debt, fuel giant profits at the biggest firms and financial institutions, and stoke a surge in billionaire wealth but do nothing for average working people.
Nothing trickles down.
Reposted by Emily TeKolste
Wars are poor chisels for carving out hopeful tomorrows. -Martin Luther King, Jr.
June 22, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Wars are poor chisels for carving out hopeful tomorrows. -Martin Luther King, Jr.
"We Saw Medicaid Work Requirements Up Close. You Don’t Want This Chaos."
From legal aid attorneys at the front lines of work requirements in Arkansas: "No officials serious about governing should willingly create such problems for their own state."
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/08/o...
From legal aid attorneys at the front lines of work requirements in Arkansas: "No officials serious about governing should willingly create such problems for their own state."
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/08/o...
Opinion | We Saw Medicaid Work Requirements Up Close. You Don’t Want This Chaos.
www.nytimes.com
June 16, 2025 at 12:51 PM
"We Saw Medicaid Work Requirements Up Close. You Don’t Want This Chaos."
From legal aid attorneys at the front lines of work requirements in Arkansas: "No officials serious about governing should willingly create such problems for their own state."
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/08/o...
From legal aid attorneys at the front lines of work requirements in Arkansas: "No officials serious about governing should willingly create such problems for their own state."
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/08/o...
Reminder that the resistance is far stronger this time around. You all showed up this weekend!
June 16, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Reminder that the resistance is far stronger this time around. You all showed up this weekend!
Reposted by Emily TeKolste
Catholic influencers are saying it's sinful to break the law.
From the Catechism: "The citizen is obliged in conscience not to follow the directives of civil authorities when they are contrary to the demands of the moral order, to the fundamental rights of persons or the teachings of the Gospel."
From the Catechism: "The citizen is obliged in conscience not to follow the directives of civil authorities when they are contrary to the demands of the moral order, to the fundamental rights of persons or the teachings of the Gospel."
June 13, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Catholic influencers are saying it's sinful to break the law.
From the Catechism: "The citizen is obliged in conscience not to follow the directives of civil authorities when they are contrary to the demands of the moral order, to the fundamental rights of persons or the teachings of the Gospel."
From the Catechism: "The citizen is obliged in conscience not to follow the directives of civil authorities when they are contrary to the demands of the moral order, to the fundamental rights of persons or the teachings of the Gospel."
Still need a sign for Saturday or any one of the ongoing protests? Check out the signs from @networklobby.bsky.social, available to download and order from your local print shop at drive.google.com/drive/folder...
June 13, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Still need a sign for Saturday or any one of the ongoing protests? Check out the signs from @networklobby.bsky.social, available to download and order from your local print shop at drive.google.com/drive/folder...
"In 2023, Indiana nearly led the nation with the second largest drop in overdose deaths. But those successes didn’t come overnight — they were the result of our policy wins that some of our lawmakers want to roll back."
www.tribstar.com/opinion/colu...
www.tribstar.com/opinion/colu...
Guest Column: Indiana’s addiction recovery progress under threat with Trump’s budget bill
In 2023, Indiana nearly led the nation with the second largest drop in overdose deaths. But those successes didn’t come overnight — they were the result of our policy wins
www.tribstar.com
June 12, 2025 at 1:24 PM
"In 2023, Indiana nearly led the nation with the second largest drop in overdose deaths. But those successes didn’t come overnight — they were the result of our policy wins that some of our lawmakers want to roll back."
www.tribstar.com/opinion/colu...
www.tribstar.com/opinion/colu...
Reposted by Emily TeKolste
🥗 Universal free school meals ensure that all children are fed and nourished during the school day, when they're in a place they have to be. If you tell me you oppose universal free school meals, you're telling me you support making children go hungry.
June 12, 2025 at 2:03 AM
🥗 Universal free school meals ensure that all children are fed and nourished during the school day, when they're in a place they have to be. If you tell me you oppose universal free school meals, you're telling me you support making children go hungry.