Rural Democracy Initiative

Supporting rural leaders to build power toward a thriving democracy and shared prosperity in rural areas and small cities.

[Rural Democracy Initiative @DemocracyRural]

Rural organizers are talking with neighbors, registering voters, training up new leaders & defending access to the ballot. But the investment needed to scale up isn't moving fast enough.

Read more in @insidephilanth: https://t.co/FxDxqHEQlv

[Institute for Policy Studies @IPS_DC]

This fall, the GOP-led Congress has remained idle while rural Americans suffer from disastrous policy decisions.

Here are 5 issue areas where elected officials must show up to support the people they represent.

@DemocracyRural's @chameides https://t.co/Ww8RbQaTOa

[Institute for Policy Studies @IPS_DC]

As ICE raids terrorize communities large and small, Americans should take a lesson from Marshalltown and tell Congress: We’re stronger when everyone is free to participate and contribute.

@chameides of @DemocracyRural: https://t.co/DgubRtq9Uv

[Main Street Alliance / Main Street Action @mainstreetweets]

"In its 2025 Rural Policy Action Report... @DemocracyRural makes it clear that these aren’t isolated struggles. They reflect a broader fight to ensure rural people aren’t left behind." https://t.co/uohZK9whfy

[Institute for Policy Studies @IPS_DC]

Despite the region’s reputation, immigrants in Marshalltown, Iowa, have become a cornerstone of the community.

Over the years, the town's citizens banded together to overcome crisis, proving once again that we’re stronger together, writes @chameides. https://t.co/DgubRtq9Uv

[Institute for Policy Studies @IPS_DC]

NEW: The 2025 Rural Policy Action Report outlines progressive policies that are popular with everyday Americans and immediately actionable by Congress.

Yes, there is another way. IPS is proud to be one of 40 groups convened by @DemocracyRural to show it:
https://t.co/W8cvP1FLBv

[Rural Democracy Initiative @DemocracyRural]

⭐ 40 organizations
⭐ 26 policy priorities to support working people, small businesses, and family farmers who are the backbone of the economy
⭐4 rural stories that show how policy can either help or hinder rural communities

➡️https://t.co/JDqv3G9H6T #RuralPolicyAction

[Main Street Alliance / Main Street Action @mainstreetweets]

Let's revitalize rural America! We're proud to join @DemocracyRural for this Rural Policy Action Report focused on what's at stake and identifying solutions to support small towns, farmers, and small business owners across the US. Read more: https://t.co/zCuDmZGNlf

[Rural Democracy Initiative @DemocracyRural]

TODAY, 1pm ET! Join our partners for a free livestream empowering constituents to hold lawmakers accountable for the local impacts of the reconciliation bill.

[People's Action @PplsAction]

Congress is heading home after passing a budget that slashes health care & food aid to fund billionaire tax breaks. Join us to get the tools you need to take action during August recess.

w/ Rep. Greg Casar, @AriasSulma & more
🗓️ RSVP: https://t.co/3IogS8QSH8

#StopTheCuts

[Institute for Policy Studies @IPS_DC]

GOP lawmakers are working to cut basic needs programs in order to fund more tax breaks for the wealthy.

Unless Congress can stand up for what’s right, here are six ways that Trump's budget would hurt rural Americans, writes @DemocracyRural’s @chameides. https://t.co/VZi6kBCCYE

[Rural Power Now @RuralpowerNow]

LIHEAP keeps utility bills affordable for over 6 million Americans.

Their entire federal staff was recently laid off, putting the crucial program in peril!

We joined 220+ organizations across the country demanding the staff be reinstated.

[Rural Democracy Initiative @DemocracyRural]

The House Budget gives the Trump administration free rein to cut programs focused on clean air, clean water, and protection from toxic chemicals, including rural water systems and water quality programs. Oppose the dirty House budget and support a clean CR. #HandsOffAmerica

[Main Street Alliance / Main Street Action @mainstreetweets]

Main Street Alliance & @SmlBizMajority small business owners are at the Capitol today! We're fighting for a fair tax code thats spurs entrepreneurship instead of more giveaways to large corporations.

Join us: https://t.co/1zv9djsDDY

[Small Business Majority @SmlBizMajority]

Ahead of the House budget vote, SBM & MSA members are on Capitol Hill today calling for #smallbiz relief. We urge the House not to cut key programs that Main Street depends upon to fund tax breaks for big biz, including programs at USDA and funding for Medicaid and ACA subsidies.

[Rural Democracy Initiative @DemocracyRural]

The Federal government is breaking contracts and putting farmers on the brink of bankruptcy. @wifarmersunion and @CourierNewsroom are supporting farmers to tell their stories and advocate for real solutions.

https://t.co/oH8bRndSdL

[Barn Raiser @Barn_Raising]

More than 75% of small business owners—who represent the vast majority of rural businesses and employ more than half of all rural workers—think the current tax code unfairly favors big corporations. https://t.co/q7GLoldBKF

[Families Over Billionaires @FOB_Action]

An op-ed from Michael Chameides of @DemocracyRural on how Trump's trickle down tax policies will hurt rural economies 👇

"The Trump administration’s top priority in 2025 is to give more lavish tax breaks to the wealthy and corporations while paying for them with cuts to everything from health care to public safety. On January 27, Trump tried to freeze Medicaid payments, economic development grants earmarked to rural communities and support for small businesses. With major portions of Trump’s 2017 tax legislation set to expire at the end of the year, he is calling for a new tax policy that further concentrates power for the most dominant corporations to benefit the wealthiest people. This is a big problem for rural communities and small towns that rely on small businesses to build a stronger economy and a better democracy."

Read more here: https://t.co/8auc0QxrOE

#TaxFairnessNOW

[Rural Democracy Initiative @DemocracyRural]

3 ways to support rural small businesses
1⃣ ultra-wealthy pay their share of taxes
2⃣ Affordable health care
3⃣ Don’t let the ultra-rich evade our tax rules

@mainstreetweets & @SmlBizMajority show how fair taxes could bolster our economy. @Barn_Raising
https://t.co/fHw8xLRuJg

[Rural Democracy Initiative @DemocracyRural]

Bird flu is contributing to rising egg prices. It's also a risk to the workers who often don’t have paid sick leave and are particularly vulnerable to the chaos of an outbreak at their workplace. @PNS_News reports:
https://t.co/BD7SwdNrVU

[Farm Action @FarmActionUS]

In our new @agripulse op-ed, Farm Action's Angela Huffman calls on the U.S. government to stop outsourcing our food production and putting our national security at risk with its focus on low-value commodity crops that don't feed us. https://t.co/Jl80LBQ8Hd