Rural Caucus Newsletter, May 15 2026
Trump was asked whether the financial strain Americans feel from rising gas prices might influence how he approaches ending the Iran conflict. His answer was blunt enough to stop folks in their tracks: “...I don't think about Americans' financial situation, I don't think about anybody...” The comment landed on the same day new inflation data spiked hard, with national gas prices hitting $4.50 a gallon, a 28% jump in just two months.Trump Says ‘I Don’t Think About Americans Financial Situation’ Amidst 28% Surge in Gas Prices.
For rural Missouri, where long drives are a given and every extra dollar at the pump comes straight out of the grocery budget, that kind of statement hits like a ton of bricks. Families, farmers, and small businesses are already carrying the weight of higher fuel, fertilizer, and shipping costs tied to his war in Iran: Grocery bills up — energy shock from Iran conflict among the causes So when Trump says he’s not thinking about Americans’ financial situation, it’s… well… not exactly shocking. And this is exactly what we will use in our future messaging. When Trump says he doesn't care, we want to make sure Missourians don’t forget it. You can bet your bottom dollar we’ll have it printed on SWAG at our State Fair tent. And speaking of the State Fair tent…
Please: Missouri Democratic Party - Non-Federal — Donate via ActBlue or by check to: Missouri Democratic Party, 407 Jefferson St., Jefferson City, MO 65101.and thank you: State Fair Booth Sign-Up - 2026 - Google Sheets.
Rural Caucus - Outrun Coalition Workshop
The Rural Caucus/Outrun Coalition Workshop was outstanding, and we’re thrilled to share it with you. Our speakers brought thoughtful, practical insights to support Missouri candidates as they work to connect with voters and strengthen their campaigns. We truly appreciate the time and expertise they shared.
Passcode: 0Egc.CzU
Missouri News
OMG. “Born‑Alive Act” says doctors could face first‑degree murder for imaginary crimes that aren’t happening in hospitals.Missouri ‘born-alive’ abortion bill heads to governor after contentious House debate • Missouri Independent. Peak fantasy‑land legislation. You’d think Republicans - staring at numbers like: 44th in maternal mortality, a solid “D” in preterm births at 11%, and more than 80% of pregnancy‑related deaths being preventable - might roll up their sleeves and work on maternal health or keeping moms and babies alive.
We're all aware of the MO Supreme Court ruling on the congressional map: Missouri Supreme Court upholds gerrymandered congressional map for August primary • Missouri Independent. And the latest twist: Boone County clerk refuses to update voter rolls amid uncertainty over Missouri map • Missouri Independent. Hoskins said the Boone County Clerk "...isn't doing her job..." That's rich coming from a guy who won't do his. And the latest twist-twist: The head of the state clerks association says Hoskins hasn't given clerks access to the voter database needed to finalize new district assignments: Missouri clerks say they still can’t update voter rolls for gerrymandered map • Missouri Independent.
Expanding women’s and maternal health coverage has failed for the past four years. But this year, the battle was finally won: Healthcare bill expanding maternal care, contraception access heads to Missouri governor • Missouri Independent
When monopoly utilities eliminate competition for transmission projects, costs go up - and a new complaint filed at FERC by utilities including Ameren would do exactly that: Utilities File Complaint to Address Federal Rules Delaying Transmission Projects by Up to 20 Months | TD World. The complaint was filed by utilities operating in MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator) and SPP (Southwest Power Pool). Missouri is in both of those grids. So even if a press release lists “18 states,” Missouri is absolutely part of the region whose transmission costs and competition rules would be affected.
National News
Let's take a little trip down memory lane. In June 2022, when Pres Biden called for a temporary federal gas‑tax holiday, Josh Hawley blasted the idea as “one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard of." Now, in 2026, Hawley introduced legislation Hawley bill would suspend federal gas tax as prices soar amid war with Iran | KCUR - Kansas City news and NPR to do exactly what he and other Republicans mocked Biden for: What some Republicans said about suspending gas tax under Joe Biden. History is a problem for the Republicans - especially from Hawley's own mouth!
Trump just scrapped the BLM Public Lands Rule - the whole thing - finishing off a rollback he kicked off last year What’s at stake with the repeal of the BLM Public Lands Rule | The Wilderness Society putting drilling and mining first, and putting conservation, outdoor access, and the future of the places we all share dead last. And the billionaires are deep in it: Trump Officials, Billionaires and the Quiet Reshaping of America’s Public Lands – Mother Jones. AND (yes...another environmental slap) it took only an email for Trump to exempt some of the nations biggest polluters: Trump Let Polluters Sidestep Clean Air Act Rules With Just an Email — ProPublica
Trump's visit to China appears to have done more harm than good. China has reversed a brief renewal of export licenses for hundreds of U.S. beef plants, just hours after granting them.China renews, then halts licenses for hundreds of US beef exporters amid Trump-Xi summit | Reuters. China is one of the biggest buyers of US beef, and with Trump's help, beef exports have already fallen from $1.7 billion in 2022 to about $500 million last year. Missouri isn't Nebraska or Kansas with giant feedlots but we're #2 cow-calf state in the country, which means packers will lowball their bids at the feedlots.
After a couple of extensions, SCOTUS finally preserved nationwide access to the abortion pill Mifepristone: Supreme Court Greenlights Abortion Pill Access by Mail: Alito, Thomas Rip Into Decision - Newsweek. Although it's a win, we haven't heard the last of it.
Another key inflation warning light just flashed red. Wholesale prices - the prices businesses pay before anything ever hits the store shelf - jumped again in April, rising at the fastest pace since 2022: Wholesale Prices in April Just Increased at the Fastest Pace Since 2022. The Problem Goes Well Beyond Higher Gas Prices and the Iran War When wholesale costs spike, it's a sign that the squeeze on Missouri households isn’t letting up anytime soon. And prices for everyday goods jumped in April, marking the biggest monthly increase since last September: Prices for everyday household items rise
We all had a hunch Trump was playing the stock market like his own personal slot machine - turns out, we weren’t wrong. New financial disclosure forms from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics show he pulled in at least $220 million - and possibly up to $750 million - in financial transactions during just the first three months of 2026. All while he was the one setting tariffs and economic policies .Trump ethics filing reveals thousands of trades tied to U.S. stocks. He's using one hand to steer the market and the other to cash in.
Other News
Has anyone heard of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact? That’s an agreement among states to elect the president by the popular vote rather than the Electoral College.The compact goes into effect when enough states sign onto it and reach a total of 270 electoral votes - the number needed to elect the president: National Popular Vote. This week, Virginia's governor Abigail Spanberger signed a bill making Virginia the 18th state to join, and with their support, states in the compact now have 222 electoral votes.
This is an interesting article on how to rally against a data center: The Laws That Stop A Data Center From Coming To Your Town (or State).
A report shows that Social Security staff failed to properly calculate survivor benefits for an estimated 8,618 widows and widowers, resulting in average losses of about $5,800 per person: Social Security Mistake Impacted Payments to Thousands—Who’s Affected? - Newsweek. There's a lot of information to unpack, so read the article to see if you, friends or family are affected.
In closing...
Folks...SNAP retailer rules changed and it hits small‑town stores the hardest. If you’ve wondered why your local gas station or small grocery suddenly stopped taking EBT, here’s the deal: USDA changed the rules, and now every SNAP retailer in Missouri has to:
- Stock 7 varieties of each staple food (protein, dairy, grains, fruits/veggies) — up from 3
- Carry more perishables in at least 3 categories
- Stop counting junk food (chips, candy, jerky, donuts) toward eligibility
- Follow stricter inspections with more surprise audits
That’s a big lift for small Missouri stores - especially in rural counties where the “grocery store” is a gas station. Missouri has 98 rural counties, and many already qualify as food deserts. When the only store in town has to meet rules written for a big‑city supermarket, not a one‑aisle shop in a town of 600, it’s no surprise some of them will not be able to keep up. And when those stores drop SNAP, it’s not an inconvenience - it’s a 30 to 60 mile round‑trip for families who already spend more on gas, groceries, and everything else.
Someone jumped into our social media comments and told us to “Shut up. There’s a Dollar General every 15 miles.” Well… guess what: having a Dollar General nearby doesn’t mean a thing if they decide not to meet the new SNAP stocking rules. Most Dollar General locations - especially the small, low‑inventory rural ones - are not currently stocked to the level USDA will require starting Nov. 4. And here’s the part folks miss: they don’t have to meet the new rules...ever. Enforcement doesn’t begin until November 4. When it does, any store - Dollar General included - that decides not to meet the 7‑variety requirement, the perishable mandate, and the new inspection standards will lose SNAP eligibility.
That’s the real impact of these rule changes on rural Missouri: the store you rely on might still be there, but EBT cards might not work anymore. We’ll see what happens come November.
Joshua Dunne
Chair
Jacqueline Farr
Vice-Chair
John Parks
Treasurer
