My dispatch from Paris (which is not at all as flametown as some international media is making it out to be) in the @washingtonmonthly.bsky.social this week
@gillenmartin.bsky.social
Gillen Tener Martin
@gillenmartin.bsky.social
From the chilly beaches, tall trees and wild rivers of rural northern California. Features editor @washingtonmonthly.bsky.social DM to pitch
@gillenmartin.bsky.social@gillenmartin.bsky.socialI reviewed @rogerberkowitz.bsky.social's "A World We Share: Hannah Arendt and the Power of Friendship in a Broken World" for the @washingtonmonthly.bsky.social
@edwriters.bsky.socialReposted by @gillenmartin.bsky.socialAmid enrollment declines and federal changes, gillenmartin.bsky.social of washingtonmonthly.bsky.social explains a new rural college rankings system and shares tips for reporters covering higher education in rural America.
Read the Q&A.
@gillenmartin.bsky.socialThe OBBBA shifted ~$850 million in annual SNAP costs to strapped county governments this year, they’ll take a bigger hit next year, and low- and middle-income taxpayers will get the bill. Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s personal net worth has increased ~$300 billion to-date in 2026.
@gillenmartin.bsky.socialAnd in NC, tax caps the GOP-controlled statehouse has put on the Nov ballot are robbing counties of means to pay the $219 million the OBBBA’s SNAP provisions will cost them annually. Meanwhile, the top 0.1% of Americans now control $28 trillion. Bottom 50%: $4 trillion.
@gillenmartin.bsky.socialIn Scott County, MN, property taxpayers face a levy increase of 8+ percent—even after millions of dollars in cuts to parks, trails, transportation infrastructure, libraries, and public health. Meanwhile, Meta’s corporate tax rate is hitting all-time lows.
@gillenmartin.bsky.socialIn rural Washington County, NY, residents’ double-digit property tax levy increase was not enough to cover the county’s new $574,558 annually without leaving unfilled staff positions vacant. Meanwhile, Tesla paid zero in corporate income taxes last year.
@gillenmartin.bsky.socialThe OBBBA is laying billions more on states and local governments running SNAP. They are passing those cost on to average taxpayers, who will pay more so the rich can pay less.
I spoke with county leaders budgeting the burden for the @washingtonmonthly.bsky.social 🧵
@washingtonmonthly.bsky.socialReposted by @gillenmartin.bsky.socialFor many local governments, administering federal food benefits is increasingly becoming an unfunded mandate, @gillenmartin.bsky.social explains.
@gillenmartin.bsky.socialIt seems the age old "would you rather be stuck in a forest with a man or a bear?" is becoming especially relevant as our national forests go increasingly untended.
"The Growing Lawlessness in California’s Forests"
www.theatlantic.com/science/2026...
@gillenmartin.bsky.socialI was lucky to grow up in a rural college town, and honored to write about rural colleges like the one keeping my hometown afloat for the @washingtonmonthly.bsky.social's College Guide.
The first-ever Best Colleges for Rural America rankings: washingtonmonthly.com/2026/08/30/b...
@washingtonmonthly.bsky.socialReposted by @gillenmartin.bsky.socialIn our brand new Best Colleges for Rural America list, @gillenmartin.bsky.social showcases the small-town universities that deliver better value by a country mile.