The Lever reports that Michigan is the sixth state to guarantee free lunch for all public school students. At the same time, House Republicans seek to ban free lunches because there might be “fraud.” For example, little Johnny might swipe a second sandwich. Iowa, as we read earlier, has limited the number of items that may be purchased with food stamps. What is it with these Republicans? Why do they children and poor adults to go hungry? Why do they want to weaken child labor laws so teens can work dangerous jobs?
There Is Such A Thing As A Free Lunch
This week, Michigan became the seventh state in the country to guarantee free lunch for every public school student in grades pre-K through 12. The $160 million program is included in the state’s School Aid Budget,which passed in June with bipartisan support. The program will serve 1.2 million students, an estimated 283,000 of whom are food insecure, and offer two free meals a day.
The national push for free lunches has been surprisingly controversial. Republicans intent on cutting the social safety net at every turn have even directed their ire at hungry kids. The Republican Study Committee, a policymaking group for conservative House lawmakers, went so far as to declare banning universal school meals a 2024 priority, suggesting that it would allow “widespread fraud.”
Michigan’s expansion of universal free school meals follows California, Maine, Colorado, Minnesota, New Mexico and Vermont — and represents a heartwarming investment in public education after years of defunding.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
There should be free lunch for everyone.
NYC did that during the pandemic, distributing lunches out of shuttered schools. I went to one out of curiosity and it seemed to be administered well.
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Yea, Michigan! After years of political stumbling, Michigan is returning to its compassionate roots. The first act of the MIchigan legislature, when the state was created, was to abolish capital punishment. Over the years the state led the nation in taking action against employment discrimination, creating an employment climate better for workers, etc. Now, partly through the actions of two women governors–Granholm and Wittmer–the state is once again providing positive leadership for the nation. (And the beaches are really great, and so are the historic places–so no need to go to Florida).
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Massachusetts is about to become the eighth state. A permanent extension of free lunch for all kids was included in the legislature’s (very late) FY2024 budget Monday night and just awaits the governor’s signature, which isn’t in question.
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Wonderful!
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My grandson receives free lunch for all in his middle school on the outskirts of El Paso, TX. I asked my grandson about the lunches this summer during his visit. When I asked about what is on the menu, his comment was that most days it’s ‘disgusting pizza.’ Free lunch is not necessarily nutritious lunch.
BTW, he is back in school which started the last week of July. The school does not have the typical long summer. The school year in divided into four quarters with a smaller vacation after each quarter. While it must be hard for working parents, the school claims it avoids the summer academic regression that some students have upon returning to the classroom.
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By coincidence, there was a piece on the difference between rates of obesity in the US and Japan. One thing they discussed was the lunches served to Japanese school children. Not only were the lunches free, they were also a part of the curriculum, teaching children what was good and good for them.
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Years ago I had a little Japanese girl in my class. When we had indoor lunch, she pulled out her Bento box and all the other students, mostly Latino and Haitian, gathered around in wonder, especially when she pulled out the chopsticks.
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In keeping with his general care and compassion for poor and working people, billionaire Donald Trump cut a million kids from the free lunch program:
https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-rule-deprives-1-million-kids-automatic-free-lunch-2019-10
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Literally stealing food from little kids.
Not surprising thought, huh?
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Meanwhile Trump’s lawyers are asserting his Right to Fraud Speech
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I’m no lawyer but I think that planning to commit a crime is not a free speech issue. The indictment opens with a statement that it’s not about Trump’s speech. He’s entitled to say what he wants. He’s even entitled to falsely claim that he won the election. He is not allowed to conspire to overthrow the Constitution.
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Thank you, Diane. This is THE response to the almost universal chorus from the Riech-wing.
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I would also advocate for free lunches (and breakfast) for teachers. We are underpaid, and everybody knows it. While I would rather have a decent paycheck that allows me to live in the city where I teach, having some meals provided would help. Kids are allowed to bring meals into the classroom, so why not teachers? It seems the least that states should do. If my high school kids are eating in my classroom 1st period, I should able to do the same. I get up before 5 AM. Having breakfast with my kids at 7 would be nice, even if the breakfasts aren’t that great. But that’s a whole ‘nother topic- the quality of food that we serve our kids. We always hear that hungry kids can’t learn. Well, tired, hungry, underpaid teachers can’t teach (well) either!
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