Latest news with #SenateBill379
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
TikTok ban for Pa. state government devices advances
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways In this 2020 photo illustration, the TikTok app is displayed on an Apple iPhone. (Photo Illustration by) A Pennsylvania Senate Committee unanimously approved a pair of bills during a meeting on Tuesday, including a proposal that would ban TikTok from being downloaded on state-owned networks and devices. State Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill, the sponsor of Senate Bill 376, said that 34 states have already announced or enacted bans on state government agencies and employees using TikTok on state owned devices. Elected officials in Pennsylvania and beyond have expressed concern about the application's parent company, ByteDance, and its relationship with the Chinese government. 'As we hear more about cybersecurity attacks, it is imperative that Pennsylvania takes bold and decisive actions to prepare for and address those threats,' Phillips-Hill said. 'The people of Pennsylvania's personal safety and our national security are threatened by cyber vulnerabilities of systems that support our daily lives.' The proposal would also require agencies, departments, commissions, and all government entities to remove the app from devices in an effort to ensure the state is safe from cyber security threats caused by foreign governments. Last session, it was introduced as Senate Bill 379, and unanimously passed the state Senate in March 2023, although it was not approved on final passage by the state House. Some Pennsylvania elected officials, including state Treasurer Stacy Garrity, have already banned TikTok from being used on Treasury-issued devices. The committee also unanimously approved Senate Bill 377, authored by Phillips-Hill, which would require that any state government purchase of computer hardware meet the National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST, standards for computer security in an effort to protect the state's information technology. 'NIST guidelines consist of standards and best practices to manage cybersecurity related risk,' Phillips-Hill said. 'This is a flexible and cost effective approach that helps to promote the protection and resilience of our IT.' The standards proposed in this legislation have already been adopted by the U.S. government in all of their IT procurements.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Texas Senate passes bill to ban junk food purchases with SNAP benefits
The Brief Texas Senate Bill 379, known as the "Make Texas Healthy Again Bill," would ban SNAP recipients from purchasing junk food like chips, candy, and sodas. It has passed the Senate and now heads to the House. Supporters, including bill author Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston), argue it will reduce taxpayer-funded healthcare costs, as over 20% of SNAP funds are spent on junk food. Opponents, like Sen. Borris Miles (D-Houston), warn it could hurt low-income communities with limited access to fresh food, calling food deserts a major concern. If passed, the bill still requires federal approval before becoming law. HOUSTON - A bill that would prevent Texas SNAP recipients from using their benefits to purchase junk food is moving forward in the state legislature. Senate Bill 379, known as the "Make Texas Healthy Again Bill," passed the Texas Senate and now heads to the House for consideration. The bill, authored by Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, would prohibit SNAP recipients from buying items such as chips, cookies, candy, sodas, and energy drinks. Middleton states that the measure would reduce taxpayer-funded healthcare costs associated with poor nutrition. Supporters argue it could help combat rising obesity rates and diet-related health conditions. "Taxpayer-funded junk food turns into taxpayer-funded healthcare," Middleton said. He cited data showing that more than 20% of SNAP funds are currently spent on these types of items. More than 3 million Texans rely on SNAP, a federally funded program that provides food assistance to low-income individuals and families. While supporters of the bill say it promotes healthier choices, critics warn it could disproportionately impact communities with limited access to fresh, nutritious food. "In rural areas, just like urban areas… there is no accessibility. Food deserts are real," said Sen. Borris Miles, D-Houston, who raised concerns about the bill's unintended consequences. Middleton, however, pointed out that most SNAP vendors are required to offer healthy food options and noted that another federal assistance program, the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, already restricts junk food purchases. If SB 379 passes in the Texas House, it would still require federal approval before becoming law. For now, Texas SNAP recipients continue to have the same purchasing power. But if the bill moves forward, grocery store trips could soon look very different for those receiving assistance. The Source FOX 26 Reporter Sherman Desselle lisistened to Texas Senate sessions about the bill.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Texas Senate passes bill to ban soda, chips, and candy for food stamps
The Brief The Texas Senate passed a bill that would ban SNAP food stamp recipients from buying things like soda, chips and candy. Dallas' Bonton Farms said with no access to healthy foods for customers in poor areas, it's just a healthy bill in name only. The bill now heads to the Texas House for consideration. The Texas Senate passed a bill that would ban food stamp recipients from buying things like soda, chips and candy. The backstory The push-back on Senate Bill 379 isn't about whether healthier foods are more necessary. Those at Bonton Farms say the theory is good, but with no access to healthy foods for customers in poor areas, it's just a healthy bill in name only. Bonton Farms is an oasis of fresh produce in a food desert in South Dallas. An area with already few grocery options and, in the last year, locations near Fair Park have closed their doors. "If a community member does not have transportation themselves and have to rely on public transportation, that's still going to be an hour and 15 minutes one way to get to the grocery store. Yes, an hour," said CEO of Bonton Farms, Gabe Madison. The farmers' market at Bonton Farms allows shoppers to purchase fresh produce and meat with their SNAP benefits, even offering a type of buy-one-get-one-free option on produce through a state partnership. What they're saying Texas Senator Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston), the author of the junk food crackdown, says the goal is not to punish the poor. "Items like soda, energy drinks, candy, potato chips, corn chips, cookies. They don't just lack nutritional value. They are bad for you," said Sen. Middleton. Senator Nathan Johnson echoed the same sentiments as Middleton. "It's really hard for people to make good health decisions when all they've seen their whole lives is junk food," said Sen. Johnson But Democrats pushed back on that, highlighting the issues of access and education on healthy food options. "Accessibility is the most is the key word that we need to be dealing with," said Sen. Borris Miles Dig deeper More than 3.3 million Texans utilize SNAP benefits, which used to be referred to as food stamps. Sen. Middleton said SNAP customers can purchase healthy items online and have them delivered. Bonton Farms recently partnered with Kroger to do just that. Kroger doesn't charge delivery fees and brings the groceries to a community center in South Dallas. "We want another Bonton Farms, you know, we need more of those. That's in [Sen. Royce West's] District, they do great work," said Sen. Mayes Middleton "No food delivery is not the silver bullet. We need to provide more than online delivery," responded Madison. WIC, another federal program that provides food assistance for families, already prohibits the purchase of certain items like soda and candy. What's next The bill now heads to the Texas House for consideration. The Source Information in this article comes from the Texas Senate and FOX 4 conversations with Bonton Farms in Dallas.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Today at the Roundhouse, Feb. 25
Feb. 25—As legislators lengthen their afternoon floor sessions in hopes of fending off evening sessions for a little longer, you can expect longer days at the Roundhouse. Here are a few things to watch out for on Tuesday, Feb. 25: Victim protections: The House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee in the afternoon will hear House Bill 190, which would amend the Victims of Crime Act to add more victims' protections. Workforce reentry: House Bill 419, a bipartisan effort seeking $13.5 million so the North Central New Mexico Economic Development District can expand a correctional reentry workforce development program, is on the House Rural Development, Land Grants and Cultural Affairs Committee's schedule. Official state vehicle & winter song: Two bills seek to implement new state symbols. Senate Bill 498 would make the lowrider the official state vehicle. Senate Bill 379 would make "Gracias New Mexico," written by Carol J. Mayberry-Sanchez, the state winter holiday song. Grab your notebooks: It's Higher Education Day at the Roundhouse, with more than two dozen New Mexico colleges, universities and other education partners available to share information on degree and certificate programs, as well as scholarships.
