Latest news with #AmeriCorpsNationalCivilianCommunityCorps
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
AmeriCorps must restore grant funding and members to Illinois, federal judge rules
The Trump administration must restore hundreds of millions of dollars in AmeriCorps grant funding and thousands of service workers in about two dozen states, a federal judge ruled Thursday. U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman granted a temporary block on the agency's cancellation of grants and early discharge of corps members, but only for the states that sued the administration in April. The federal lawsuit, filed by Democratic state officials across the country, accused President Donald Trump's cost-cutting efforts through the Department of Government Efficiency of reneging on grants funded through the AmeriCorps State and National program, which was budgeted $557 million in congressionally approved funding this year. Boardman also said all AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps members that were discharged from their service terms early should be reinstated, if they are willing and able to return. But Boardman allowed the 30-year-old federal agency for volunteer service to proceed with its reduction in force, denying the states' request to restore the majority of staff that were put on administrative leave in April. The agency employs more than 500 full-time federal workers and has an operating budget of roughly $1 billion. AmeriCorps did not immediately respond to request for comment. The Department of Justice declined to comment. The 30-year-old agency created to facilitate volunteer service across the country oversees several programs that dispatch hundreds of millions of dollars and tens of thousands of people to serve in communities. It sends roughly 200,000 corps members across the country as part of its service programs. Most corps members get a living stipend during their service and become eligible for funding for future education expenses or to apply for certain student loans. As part of the AmeriCorps State and National grant program, state volunteer commissions distributed more than $177 million in formula-based distributions, as well as $370 million in competitive grants that supported nearly 35,000 corps members serving at 300 organizations, according to announcements last year. Notices of grants being terminated were sent late on a Friday in April, explaining 'the award no longer effectuates agency priorities' and directing grantees to immediately shut down the projects, according to a copy reviewed by The Associated Press. The states that sued the administration said those extensive and immediate cancellations did not provide the legally required notice and comment period. They said the result would be severely curtailed services and programs for vulnerable populations since states and organizations could not fill the funding void. AmeriCorps argued in court filings that a temporary block on the agency's actions as the lawsuit proceeds would disrupt efforts to comply with Trump's executive order creating DOGE and to 'act as responsible stewards of public funds,' according to court filings. Despite bipartisan support, AmeriCorps has long been a target of critics who decry bloat, inefficiencies and misuse of funds. 'President Trump has the legal right to restore accountability to the entire Executive Branch,' Anna Kelly, White House deputy press secretary, previously said in a statement after the lawsuit was filed. The lawsuit was filed by officials in Maryland, Delaware, California, Colorado, Arizona, Connecticut, Washington, DC, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
05-06-2025
- Politics
AmeriCorps must restore grant funding and members to states that sued over cuts, federal judge rules
The Trump administration must restore hundreds of millions of dollars in AmeriCorps grant funding and thousands of service workers in about two dozen states, a federal judge ruled Thursday. U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman granted a temporary block on the agency's cancellation of grants and early discharge of corps members, but only for the states that sued the administration in April. The federal lawsuit, filed by Democratic state officials across the country, accused President Donald Trump's cost-cutting efforts through the Department of Government Efficiency of reneging on grants funded through the AmeriCorps State and National program, which was budgeted $557 million in congressionally approved funding this year. Boardman also said all AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps members that were discharged from their service terms early should be reinstated, if they are willing and able to return. But Boardman allowed the 30-year-old federal agency for volunteer service to proceed with its reduction in force, denying the states' request to restore the majority of staff that were put on administrative leave in April. The agency employs more than 500 full-time federal workers and has an operating budget of roughly $1 billion. AmeriCorps did not immediately respond to request for comment. The Department of Justice declined to comment. The 30-year-old agency created to facilitate volunteer service across the country oversees several programs that dispatch hundreds of millions of dollars and tens of thousands of people to serve in communities. It sends roughly 200,000 corps members across the country as part of its service programs. Most corps members get a living stipend during their service and become eligible for funding for future education expenses or to apply for certain student loans. As part of the AmeriCorps State and National grant program, state volunteer commissions distributed more than $177 million in formula-based distributions, as well as $370 million in competitive grants that supported nearly 35,000 corps members serving at 300 organizations, according to announcements last year. Notices of grants being terminated were sent late on a Friday in April, explaining 'the award no longer effectuates agency priorities' and directing grantees to immediately shut down the projects, according to a copy reviewed by The Associated Press. The states that sued the administration said those extensive and immediate cancellations did not provide the legally required notice and comment period. They said the result would be severely curtailed services and programs for vulnerable populations since states and organizations could not fill the funding void. AmeriCorps argued in court filings that a temporary block on the agency's actions as the lawsuit proceeds would disrupt efforts to comply with Trump's executive order creating DOGE and to 'act as responsible stewards of public funds," according to court filings. Despite bipartisan support, AmeriCorps has long been a target of critics who decry bloat, inefficiencies and misuse of funds. 'President Trump has the legal right to restore accountability to the entire Executive Branch,' Anna Kelly, White House deputy press secretary, previously said in a statement after the lawsuit was filed. The lawsuit was filed by officials in Maryland, Delaware, California, Colorado, Arizona, Connecticut, Washington, DC, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
AmeriCorps must restore grant funding and members to states that sued over cuts, federal judge rules
The Trump administration must restore hundreds of millions of dollars in AmeriCorps grant funding and thousands of service workers in about two dozen states, a federal judge ruled Thursday. U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman granted a temporary block on the agency's cancellation of grants and early discharge of corps members, but only for the states that sued the administration in April. The federal lawsuit, filed by Democratic state officials across the country, accused President Donald Trump's cost-cutting efforts through the Department of Government Efficiency of reneging on grants funded through the AmeriCorps State and National program, which was budgeted $557 million in congressionally approved funding this year. Boardman also said all AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps members that were discharged from their service terms early should be reinstated, if they are willing and able to return. But Boardman allowed the 30-year-old federal agency for volunteer service to proceed with its reduction in force, denying the states' request to restore the majority of staff that were put on administrative leave in April. The agency employs more than 500 full-time federal workers and has an operating budget of roughly $1 billion. AmeriCorps did not immediately respond to request for comment. The 30-year-old agency created to facilitate volunteer service across the country oversees several programs that dispatch hundreds of millions of dollars and tens of thousands of people to serve in communities. It sends roughly 200,000 corps members across the country as part of its service programs. Most corps members get a living stipend during their service and become eligible for funding for future education expenses or to apply for certain student loans. As part of the AmeriCorps State and National grant program, state volunteer commissions distributed more than $177 million in formula-based distributions, as well as $370 million in competitive grants that supported nearly 35,000 corps members serving at 300 organizations, according to announcements last year. Notices of grants being terminated were sent late on a Friday in April, explaining 'the award no longer effectuates agency priorities' and directing grantees to immediately shut down the projects, according to a copy reviewed by The Associated Press. AmeriCorps argued in court filings that a temporary block on the agency's actions as the lawsuit proceeds would disrupt efforts to comply with Trump's executive order creating DOGE and to 'act as responsible stewards of public funds," according to court filings. Despite bipartisan support, AmeriCorps has long been a target of critics who decry bloat, inefficiencies and misuse of funds. 'President Trump has the legal right to restore accountability to the entire Executive Branch,' Anna Kelly, White House deputy press secretary, previously said in a statement after the lawsuit was filed. The lawsuit was filed by officials in Maryland, Delaware, California, Colorado, Arizona, Connecticut, Washington, DC, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.
Winnipeg Free Press
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
AmeriCorps must restore grant funding and members to states that sued over cuts, federal judge rules
The Trump administration must restore hundreds of millions of dollars in AmeriCorps grant funding and thousands of service workers in about two dozen states, a federal judge ruled Thursday. U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman granted a temporary block on the agency's cancellation of grants and early discharge of corps members, but only for the states that sued the administration in April. The federal lawsuit, filed by Democratic state officials across the country, accused President Donald Trump's cost-cutting efforts through the Department of Government Efficiency of reneging on grants funded through the AmeriCorps State and National program, which was budgeted $557 million in congressionally approved funding this year. The 30-year-old agency oversees several programs that dispatch hundreds of millions of dollars and tens of thousands of people to serve in communities across the country. Boardman also said all AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps members that were discharged from their service terms early should be reinstated, if they are willing and able to return. But Boardman allowed the 30-year-old federal agency for volunteer service to proceed with its reduction in force, denying the states' request to restore the majority of staff that were put on administrative leave in April. AmeriCorps employs more than 500 full-time federal workers and has an operating budget of roughly $1 billion. The lawsuit was filed by officials in Maryland, Delaware, California, Colorado, Arizona, Connecticut, Washington, DC, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump flag flying? No thanks. I don't want to know a business' politics.
The other day, I needed to get my car towed. There is a towing business in my community that I considered. I'm not out to ruin anyone's reputation, so I'll just say I used them years ago, and I was satisfied with the experience. They were kind and professional, and they did just what I expected them to do. The problem is that over the course of the past few years, they have become more political with the flags they fly in front of their establishment. I first noticed this a couple of years ago when I was driving past and saw them flying a flag that read 'Let's go Brandon!' As everyone knows by now this was a pejorative directed to then-President Joe Biden. The backstory to this NASCAR-coined insult is pretty ridiculous, but I'll leave it there. Needless to say, I voted for Biden, so I did not find it amusing at all, and I made a mental note of it. Sometime later, still before this recent election, another flag appeared. It read, 'Don't blame me, I voted for Trump!' "Oh really," I thought to myself. Well, they're not the only place around. I guess I won't be going back there. Today, they sport a flag that supports the police. Well, good for you, towing company, I support the police, too, but the damage was done. That's why, the other day when I needed my car towed, I went with someone else. They did a great job. They, too, were kind and professional, and I have no idea who they voted for. I like that. Novi is a solidly purple area, just look for yourself on at the Novi political map. Displaying a political flag probably alienated half your community. Like I said, I'm not out to ruin anyone's reputation ― who knows, maybe my letter will bring in new customers from the red areas to the west. But I have a suggestion for you, local towing business ― no one is impressed with your Trump flags. Why don't you just fly the good old Stars and Stripes, and be done with it? Eddie Dee Novi Nearly 10 years ago, I boarded a one-way flight to Sacramento to serve as a Team Leader with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps — a national service program that changed my life. I spent over 2,500 hours building homes, reducing wildfire risk, and supporting people with disabilities. NCCC brings together diverse young adults from across the country to serve where the need is greatest. Covering housing and travel, it removes financial barriers to join, allowing everyone the chance to serve. In so many ways, NCCC embodied what we all hope America can be: people coming together across difference, in service of the common good. Opinion: I joked about getting deported. In Trump's America, it's not funny. | Opinion Last month, the Department of Government Efficiency cut NCCC's funding. In doing so, we lose a rare space where young people grow into thoughtful, compassionate leaders by serving others. It's a loss for the communities served — and a loss for our country. Please contact your members of Congress to save this vital program. Catie Meyers Redford Letters: It's been 100 days. How is Trump doing? Have your say in a letter to the editor | Letters It's too bad that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer felt compelled to sell her soul for 21 F-15EX Eagle II jet fighters. Is this what Michigan needs? What will these planes do to improve education, healthcare, housing and transportation in our state or repair our crumbling infrastructure? The Pentagon budget is already bloated while the president and Congress propose severe cuts to Medicaid and other programs that serve the basic needs of the most vulnerable among us. Sad to say, our governor has joined the ranks of Democratic politicians who are unable or unwilling to stand up to the president even as he defies the law and shreds the Constitution. Governor, we expected more from you. Karen M. Donahue Detroit Submit a letter to the editor at and we may publish it online and in print. If you have a differing view from a letter writer, please feel free to submit a letter of your own in response. Like what you're reading? Please consider supporting local journalism and getting unlimited digital access with a Detroit Free Press subscription. We depend on readers like you. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Trump flags, Gretchen Whitmer, DOGE cuts | Letters
