The Trump administration this week reversed a decision to freeze federal loans and grants -- but only after it led to mass confusion among organizations and schools around the country, and a backlash from states, including Nevada.
The White House said the pause is needed to verify whether federal spending is in line with President Donald Trump's priorities.
Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., said she's been swamped with questions from nonprofits, service providers and community stakeholders, who depend on federal dollars to support a wide range of programs that help Nevadans. She called the president's action "reckless."
"My office has received hundreds of calls and emails from Nevadans who are rightfully concerned just about what this would mean for them, for their families, for their jobs," she said.
The National Council of Nonprofits filed a lawsuit against freezing federal funds. A federal judge also blocked the directive until a hearing this coming Monday. There's still some confusion about exactly what was rescinded -- the funding freeze, or the original memo from the Office of Management and Budget that outlined the freeze.
Rosen alleged that a decision to stop the flow of federal dollars, even temporarily, would have a direct impact on public safety by keeping funds from reaching law enforcement officers, firefighters and other first responders. She said these folks and others depend on this money for the tools they need to do "their jobs safely and protect communities effectively."
"Equipment like the emergency vehicles they travel in, the protective suits they put on, the helmets they were, the oxygen tanks that they carry so they can breathe fresh air while they save someone's life," she said.
Rosen is among those calling on Trump to permanently and fully rescind the executive order to freeze those federal funds.
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Community groups are coming together to expand voting rights to all Connecticut residents.
The Connecticut Right to Vote Campaign says it aims to ensure all lawful permanent residents would be able to vote, as well as encourage them to turn out for local, state and federal elections.
The campaign's centerpiece is HJ 26, a bill that would allow lawful permanent residents to vote.
Helen Quinonez, a community organizer with Make the Road Connecticut, said the campaign and bill have widespread support.
"We don't have only the support from the community who are not able to vote now; we have the support from the community who actually can vote," she said. "But we need to increase the vote participation in Connecticut, because a lot of people don't go to vote in local, municipal elections."
Despite support for the campaign and the bill, Quinonez acknowledged it may take five years to accomplish their goals, given the current political climate. As President Donald Trump continues to support mass deportations, groups working for immigrants' rights want Connecticut lawmakers to bolster state immigration laws to better protect residents.
A crux of the campaign will center on using voting rights in local and municipal elections. State data show declines in voter turnout across local and federal elections.
Ariana Fernandez, a community organizer with United Parents and Students, said educating people about voting will be a big part of their efforts - helping them understand the importance in their own lives of being able to vote.
"The biggest way to have a voice in their child's education is through a vote and deciding who represents whatever education matters that affect their children," she said. "So, as an example, the Board of Education - and we know during these local elections, there's a lot of parents who are left out of that voting process."
She pointed out if people who live and work in the state can't vote, it's a form of taxation without representation. It's estimated that immigrants in Connecticut contribute more than $406 million a year in taxes to the state's economy.
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Michigan's congressional delegation has "aced" the National Environmental Scorecard, earning a perfect 100% in 2024.
The League of Conservation Voters uses the scorecard to track lawmakers' votes on a range of bills relating to the environment and democracy - from climate change and wildlife conservation to environmental justice.
Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, both D-Mich., scored 100%, with lifetime scores of 91% and 94%, respectively.
Nick Dodge, communications manager for Michigan's League of Conservation Voters, explained why the state consistently stands out on the scorecard.
"Water is pretty much everywhere around here, and people have a true connection to it," he said. "The people that we send to Congress get that and understand that. Anyone that goes to Congress and votes against our water, they can expect to hear that from their constituents."
The national average scores show a stark contrast between parties, with Democrats generally scoring higher than Republicans. The League said it aims to use the scorecard to hold elected officials accountable and inform voters ahead of elections.
The majority of Republican politicians view environmental policies as examples of government overreach, while most Democrats view them as a pressing need for climate action. Dodge expressed concern over the obvious divide.
"We see environmental issues as nonpartisan," he said. "You're talking about clean air to breathe, safe water to drink. To us, those shouldn't be - and are not - partisan issues."
Of Michigan's neighbors, Ohio's delegation scored 25%, Wisconsin's scored 50% and the Indiana delegation got a zero.
The National Environmental Scorecard is updated each year to reflect the most recent congressional votes.
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An Alabama group is urging lawmakers to simplify the voter restoration process for people who have lost their right to vote. In Alabama, more than 8% of adults, or one in 13 people, are disenfranchised, according to The Sentencing Project.
JaiGregory Clarke, Birmingham organizer with Faith in Action Alabama, warns that the number is likely to increase due to House Bill 100, which expands the list of crimes that can strip voting rights. He said the law bars thousands from the ballot, including people who were previously eligible to vote. His organization is pushing for reforms to ensure that once individuals have served their time, they can fully participate in democracy.
"If someone re-enters the community, if they've served their time and they've paid their debt to society and they're active, meaning they are employed and are paying taxes, then they should absolutely have voting rights or say in the policies that govern our community," Clarke said.
Clarke explained that regaining the right to vote in Alabama is a complicated and costly process. People must complete their sentence, pay all fines, fees and restitution - which can total thousands of dollars - and then apply for a Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote, or CERV.
To change that, Clarke said voting-rights advocates are backing Senate Bill 7. If passed, the bill would introduce several major changes to Alabama's voting system. It would allow same-day voter registration, eliminate the need for an excuse to vote absentee, and create a statewide voter database. Clarke believes the bill would make the voting process fairer and more accessible, and added that it would not only streamline the process of restoring voting rights but also expand access to voting across the state.
"What it proposes is a complete overhaul of the way people get their voting rights back in Alabama," Clarke said.
The bill would also establish an Alabama Voting Rights Commission to oversee election changes and require preclearance for certain decisions at the state and local levels - ensuring new policies don't unfairly impact eligible voters. Sponsored by Sen. Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery, the legislation is currently awaiting committee action.
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