Stephen Copek
@copek.bsky.social
Park Slope, Brooklyn. Philanthropy professional working in economic mobility and poverty reduction. Will mostly post about that and NYC politics. Occasionally showing my fandom of the Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Bears/White Sox, and US Soccer. All views my own.
Continue to think this Iowa WBB team is going to surprise people and show that they are here to stay
The team looks very good already. It will only get better as the freshmen and transfers get more and more experience
They don’t have one scheduled, but I’m expecting home games at Carver in March
The team looks very good already. It will only get better as the freshmen and transfers get more and more experience
They don’t have one scheduled, but I’m expecting home games at Carver in March
November 14, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Continue to think this Iowa WBB team is going to surprise people and show that they are here to stay
The team looks very good already. It will only get better as the freshmen and transfers get more and more experience
They don’t have one scheduled, but I’m expecting home games at Carver in March
The team looks very good already. It will only get better as the freshmen and transfers get more and more experience
They don’t have one scheduled, but I’m expecting home games at Carver in March
Finally catching up on the Trump Accounts program included in HR1. I was initially optimistically surprised when something that kinda looked like Baby Bonds was passed. But the more you dig into anything this admin does… Another give away to the wealthy.
www.brookings.edu/articles/wha...
www.brookings.edu/articles/wha...
What are Trump accounts? What are Baby Bonds? | Brookings
This post explores the structure of Trump accounts, as well as other proposals designed to help families build wealth.
www.brookings.edu
November 12, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Finally catching up on the Trump Accounts program included in HR1. I was initially optimistically surprised when something that kinda looked like Baby Bonds was passed. But the more you dig into anything this admin does… Another give away to the wealthy.
www.brookings.edu/articles/wha...
www.brookings.edu/articles/wha...
Assuming Lander enters the NY10 primary, it’ll be very interesting to see how early endorsements break (or don’t) from those that either didn’t endorse or waited for the last possible moment to endorse Mamdani.
November 10, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Assuming Lander enters the NY10 primary, it’ll be very interesting to see how early endorsements break (or don’t) from those that either didn’t endorse or waited for the last possible moment to endorse Mamdani.
Next week feels big for the Bears. Have to start winning against the North if they really are turning a corner here.
November 9, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Next week feels big for the Bears. Have to start winning against the North if they really are turning a corner here.
Reposted by Stephen Copek
“Even though this stay is temporary, it will cause massive, continued panic and extreme hardship for tens of millions of the most vulnerable Americans, who have already gone a week without the promised food. Food delayed is food denied.”
- Hunger Free America CEO Joel Berg, in response
- Hunger Free America CEO Joel Berg, in response
Jackson lets Trump hold back full SNAP funding for now
Jackson lets Trump hold back full SNAP funding for now
The justice’s order came after the Trump administration raced to the Supreme Court ahead of a lower-court deadline to pay full SNAP benefits.
dlvr.it
November 8, 2025 at 3:43 AM
“Even though this stay is temporary, it will cause massive, continued panic and extreme hardship for tens of millions of the most vulnerable Americans, who have already gone a week without the promised food. Food delayed is food denied.”
- Hunger Free America CEO Joel Berg, in response
- Hunger Free America CEO Joel Berg, in response
Whether the court is expected to “move swiftly” or not, hunger doesn’t wait for appeals court decisions.
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/11...
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/11...
Trump Administration Live Updates: President Appeals to Supreme Court After Losing Bid to Curtail Food Stamp Aid
www.nytimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Whether the court is expected to “move swiftly” or not, hunger doesn’t wait for appeals court decisions.
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/11...
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/11...
Government backed grocery stores to close food deserts and help reduce prices? How radical…
In 2023, I proposed the Illinois Grocery Initiative to lower food prices and provide options in food deserts across the state. www.ksdk.com/article/news...
Pritzker breaks ground on state-backed grocery in Venice, calling it a 'revival' for forgotten towns
The Illinois governor says the project proves government can help the free market work where private investors walked away.
www.ksdk.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Government backed grocery stores to close food deserts and help reduce prices? How radical…
Alternatively, I could easily argue that when you look at the full context around the NYC Mayoral race, 92% of voters voted for a Democrat. 1M votes is a huge number for Mamdani to have gotten.
Comparing vote share from this race to races with only one Democrat running isn’t a useful data point.
Comparing vote share from this race to races with only one Democrat running isn’t a useful data point.
Btw, the press obsessing about Mamdani seems weird. He seriously underperformed the Democratic vote in NYC compared to recent elections, barely scraping 50%. Moderate Democrats in VA and NJ dramatically overperformed. That seems the real story
November 6, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Alternatively, I could easily argue that when you look at the full context around the NYC Mayoral race, 92% of voters voted for a Democrat. 1M votes is a huge number for Mamdani to have gotten.
Comparing vote share from this race to races with only one Democrat running isn’t a useful data point.
Comparing vote share from this race to races with only one Democrat running isn’t a useful data point.
Reposted by Stephen Copek
Last night showed what happens when Democrats stay focused on delivering for working people.
We’re fighting for affordability, public safety, and opportunity — and we won’t let up.
We’re fighting for affordability, public safety, and opportunity — and we won’t let up.
November 5, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Last night showed what happens when Democrats stay focused on delivering for working people.
We’re fighting for affordability, public safety, and opportunity — and we won’t let up.
We’re fighting for affordability, public safety, and opportunity — and we won’t let up.
Reposted by Stephen Copek
Open enrollment for #ACA marketplace plans has begun, and without congressional action to extend premium tax credit enhancements, millions are facing steep premium increases for 2026.
November 5, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Open enrollment for #ACA marketplace plans has begun, and without congressional action to extend premium tax credit enhancements, millions are facing steep premium increases for 2026.
January can’t come fast enough. This city is ready for and in need of fresh ideas and new leadership.
November 5, 2025 at 3:42 AM
January can’t come fast enough. This city is ready for and in need of fresh ideas and new leadership.
Still being very cautious about expectations for year one of what hopefully becomes the McCollum Era, but purely stylistically I really like what the Hawkeyes are doing tonight.
November 5, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Still being very cautious about expectations for year one of what hopefully becomes the McCollum Era, but purely stylistically I really like what the Hawkeyes are doing tonight.
A little sloppy at times, but overall thought there was a lot to like from the Hawks first game. Heiden and Stuelke took over. Wright and Rodriguez are great additions to this team. Deal has some first game butterflies to brush off.
This team is going to be very good.
This team is going to be very good.
BOX SCORE RECAP: Hawkeyes open with a win over Southern
- Ava Heiden puts up a double-double with 21 points and 14 rebounds
- Hawkeyes outscore Southern 49-27 in the second half
MORE📊: on3.com/teams/iowa-h...
- Ava Heiden puts up a double-double with 21 points and 14 rebounds
- Hawkeyes outscore Southern 49-27 in the second half
MORE📊: on3.com/teams/iowa-h...
November 4, 2025 at 2:57 AM
A little sloppy at times, but overall thought there was a lot to like from the Hawks first game. Heiden and Stuelke took over. Wright and Rodriguez are great additions to this team. Deal has some first game butterflies to brush off.
This team is going to be very good.
This team is going to be very good.
Reposted by Stephen Copek
Zohran Mamdani’s opponents have portrayed his Democratic Socialists of America affiliation as unusual, but he is not the first New York politician — or would-be mayor — with ties to the group.
Has Gracie Mansion Ever Had a Democratic Socialist?
Zohran Mamdani’s opponents have portrayed his Democratic Socialists of America affiliation as unusual, but he is not the first New York politician — or would-be mayor — with ties to the group.
nyti.ms
November 3, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Zohran Mamdani’s opponents have portrayed his Democratic Socialists of America affiliation as unusual, but he is not the first New York politician — or would-be mayor — with ties to the group.
“People (especially children) should never go hungry in America” should be enough justification for this government to save SNAP.
But it also doesn’t make any economic sense to stop the benefit from being delivered. It’s also an infusion of cash into local food systems.
frac.org/programs/sup...
But it also doesn’t make any economic sense to stop the benefit from being delivered. It’s also an infusion of cash into local food systems.
frac.org/programs/sup...
The Positive Effect of SNAP Benefits on Participants and Communities - Food Research & Action Center
frac.org
November 2, 2025 at 5:05 PM
“People (especially children) should never go hungry in America” should be enough justification for this government to save SNAP.
But it also doesn’t make any economic sense to stop the benefit from being delivered. It’s also an infusion of cash into local food systems.
frac.org/programs/sup...
But it also doesn’t make any economic sense to stop the benefit from being delivered. It’s also an infusion of cash into local food systems.
frac.org/programs/sup...
Reposted by Stephen Copek
Halloween hangover: waking up on Nov 1 to the GOP Congress having canceled SNAP benefits for millions of Americans.
Most SNAP beneficiaries are kids & seniors. Of the rest, most work in crappy private sector jobs that don’t pay enough to feed their families.
www.thehandbasket.co/subscribe?re...
Most SNAP beneficiaries are kids & seniors. Of the rest, most work in crappy private sector jobs that don’t pay enough to feed their families.
www.thehandbasket.co/subscribe?re...
The Handbasket
100% independent journalism by Marisa Kabas
www.thehandbasket.co
November 1, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Halloween hangover: waking up on Nov 1 to the GOP Congress having canceled SNAP benefits for millions of Americans.
Most SNAP beneficiaries are kids & seniors. Of the rest, most work in crappy private sector jobs that don’t pay enough to feed their families.
www.thehandbasket.co/subscribe?re...
Most SNAP beneficiaries are kids & seniors. Of the rest, most work in crappy private sector jobs that don’t pay enough to feed their families.
www.thehandbasket.co/subscribe?re...
Halloween is always a great reminder of why I love the neighborhood I call home. #JurassicParkSlope
November 1, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Halloween is always a great reminder of why I love the neighborhood I call home. #JurassicParkSlope
Reposted by Stephen Copek
In New York, 3 million people rely on SNAP. Ensuring they can still eat will take $700 million per month, but we have $29 billion in reserves.
Governor Hochul can call a special session immediately to move the money. Our members of Congress can condition ending the shutdown on getting reimbursed. 🧵
Governor Hochul can call a special session immediately to move the money. Our members of Congress can condition ending the shutdown on getting reimbursed. 🧵
New: Hochul is declaring an official "food emergency" and has announced an additional $65 million for food assistance, bringing total to $106 million dedicated in the past few days
Gov. Hochul is at a Harlem food pantry, flanked by Rev. Al Sharpton, other clergy and local lawmakers, to once again decry the planned shut off of SNAP benefits on Saturday l. "I'm looking at the whole scale of this," she says. "This is all bad."
October 30, 2025 at 3:51 PM
In New York, 3 million people rely on SNAP. Ensuring they can still eat will take $700 million per month, but we have $29 billion in reserves.
Governor Hochul can call a special session immediately to move the money. Our members of Congress can condition ending the shutdown on getting reimbursed. 🧵
Governor Hochul can call a special session immediately to move the money. Our members of Congress can condition ending the shutdown on getting reimbursed. 🧵
Have a feeling that “Hannah Stuelke and Ava Heiden dominate” will be a fairly evergreen recap takeaway this season. Heiden is going to be a double-double machine.
This is going to be a fun season. Can’t wait to see them live when the Hawks spin through Brooklyn.
This is going to be a fun season. Can’t wait to see them live when the Hawks spin through Brooklyn.
BOX SCORE RECAP: Hawkeyes earn an exhibition win over DII Ashland
- Transfers, Chit-Chat Wright and Emely Rodriguez, produce in their debut
- Hannah Stuelke and Ava Heiden dominate
MORE📊: www.on3.com/teams/iowa-h...
- Transfers, Chit-Chat Wright and Emely Rodriguez, produce in their debut
- Hannah Stuelke and Ava Heiden dominate
MORE📊: www.on3.com/teams/iowa-h...
October 31, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Have a feeling that “Hannah Stuelke and Ava Heiden dominate” will be a fairly evergreen recap takeaway this season. Heiden is going to be a double-double machine.
This is going to be a fun season. Can’t wait to see them live when the Hawks spin through Brooklyn.
This is going to be a fun season. Can’t wait to see them live when the Hawks spin through Brooklyn.
Reposted by Stephen Copek
Under Trump, the draconian future of homelessness policy is coming into focus: mass internment. Utah is building a 16-acre site to detain up to 1,300 homeless people inside locked "accountability centers." This is profoundly alarming.
Vital reporting from @ellenbarry.bsky.social and Jason DeParle:
Vital reporting from @ellenbarry.bsky.social and Jason DeParle:
In Utah, Trump’s Vision for Homelessness Begins to Take Shape
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Under Trump, the draconian future of homelessness policy is coming into focus: mass internment. Utah is building a 16-acre site to detain up to 1,300 homeless people inside locked "accountability centers." This is profoundly alarming.
Vital reporting from @ellenbarry.bsky.social and Jason DeParle:
Vital reporting from @ellenbarry.bsky.social and Jason DeParle:
Just started reading (okay listening to) Paper Girl by @bethmacy.bsky.social and already know it needs to be on everyone’s must read/listen list.
In her new book, Beth Macy tries to understand America’s growing fissures by returning to her Donald Trump–voting Ohio hometown and talking with residents—those who agree with her and, more important, those who don’t, writes Alex Kotlowitz:
A Writer Who Did What Hillbilly Elegy Wouldn’t
In her new book, Beth Macy returns to her Donald Trump–voting hometown to find out how America got so divided.
bit.ly
October 30, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Just started reading (okay listening to) Paper Girl by @bethmacy.bsky.social and already know it needs to be on everyone’s must read/listen list.
The last thing the world needs is more countries with nuclear weapons. It obviously won’t happen in the current global political climate, but we should be working to do the exact opposite.
As American power recedes, South Korea and even Japan may pursue nuclear weapons. For our August issue, @rossandersen.bsky.social reported on the arms race unfolding in East Asia:
The New Nuclear Arms Race
As American power recedes, South Korea, Japan, and a host of other countries may pursue the bomb.
bit.ly
October 30, 2025 at 2:39 AM
The last thing the world needs is more countries with nuclear weapons. It obviously won’t happen in the current global political climate, but we should be working to do the exact opposite.
Not sure we are any closer… and it’s about to get much worse for our neighbors who depend on SNAP.
If you’re able, today is a good time to donate to your local food bank and mutual aid.
If you’re able, today is a good time to donate to your local food bank and mutual aid.
Feels like we might be here a while.
In @nytopinion.nytimes.com
“It is easy to lose sight of the real stakes” in this government shutdown, the editorial board writes. “President Trump is seeking to deprive millions of Americans of their health insurance, and Senate Democrats are refusing to acquiesce.”
“It is easy to lose sight of the real stakes” in this government shutdown, the editorial board writes. “President Trump is seeking to deprive millions of Americans of their health insurance, and Senate Democrats are refusing to acquiesce.”
October 29, 2025 at 2:27 AM
Not sure we are any closer… and it’s about to get much worse for our neighbors who depend on SNAP.
If you’re able, today is a good time to donate to your local food bank and mutual aid.
If you’re able, today is a good time to donate to your local food bank and mutual aid.
Something we undeniably proved during the pandemic is that child poverty is a policy choice. We can choose to (nearly) eliminate it and it’s not all that difficult to do. All that’s in the way is political will.
@annieecaseyfdn.bsky.social
www.aecf.org/blog/child-p...
@annieecaseyfdn.bsky.social
www.aecf.org/blog/child-p...
U.S. Child Poverty Triples to 13%, Casey Foundation Reports
U.S. child poverty nearly tripled to 13% in 2024, a new Annie E. Casey Foundation report finds, showing public policies can cut the rate by half.
www.aecf.org
October 29, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Something we undeniably proved during the pandemic is that child poverty is a policy choice. We can choose to (nearly) eliminate it and it’s not all that difficult to do. All that’s in the way is political will.
@annieecaseyfdn.bsky.social
www.aecf.org/blog/child-p...
@annieecaseyfdn.bsky.social
www.aecf.org/blog/child-p...
Reposted by Stephen Copek
"The only thing that really helps moderate income and low-income Americans meet their basic monthly expenses is the SNAP program. And that's why it's so vital, not only in terms of fighting hunger, but just keeping tens of millions of Americans afloat each month," HFA CEO Joel Berg to @npr.org
SNAP, the country's largest anti-hunger program, dates back to the Great Depression and has never been disrupted this way. Most recipients are seniors, families with kids, and those with disabilities. n.pr/48PNNIt
'Uncharted territory': Ongoing shutdown threatens food aid for 42 million people
SNAP, the country's largest anti-hunger program, dates back to the Great Depression and has never been disrupted this way. Most recipients are seniors, families with kids, and those with disabilities.
n.pr
October 24, 2025 at 6:08 PM
"The only thing that really helps moderate income and low-income Americans meet their basic monthly expenses is the SNAP program. And that's why it's so vital, not only in terms of fighting hunger, but just keeping tens of millions of Americans afloat each month," HFA CEO Joel Berg to @npr.org