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New York Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
HUD launches English-only initiative for all department services: ‘Speak with one voice and one language'
The Department of Housing and Urban Development is making English the sole language used for virtually all of its services and affairs, according to a new memo obtained by The Post. HUD's deputy secretary wrote the memo, set to be sent out on Monday, advising department leadership of the changes, in keeping with President Trump's executive order in March to designate English as the official US language. 'We are one people, united, and we will speak with one voice and one language to deliver on our mission of expanding housing that is affordable, helping those in need, caring for our most vulnerable Americans, and revitalizing rural, tribal, and urban communities,' HUD deputy secretary Andrew Hughes wrote. Despite the upcoming change, there will still be some instances where other languages may be permitted in HUD services to comply with the law. Those include accommodations required under the Americans with Disability Act and the Violence Against Women Act, which have nondiscrimination provisions that may apply to language in some situations. 4 HUD will begin scrubbing its website and buildings of any non-English flyers. Getty Images 4 President Trump took executive action in March to make English America's official language. Ron Sachs/CNP / 'HUD will continue to ensure that all persons have meaningful access to HUD programs and services,' Hughes stressed, adding that the department also 'will continue to provide communication services to the hearing and seeing impaired, and persons with related disabilities.' Outside of those potential exceptions, HUD will switch to English-only for its services and affairs. Under previous administrations, HUD sought to accommodate other languages to help low-income legal immigrants to the US who struggled with English. Prior to the English-only push, HUD touted that it accommodated some 222 languages and had an interpretation line for individuals unable to speak English proficiently, a flyer seen by The Post showed. 4 Prior to the change, HUD touted how it provided recipients with over 222 languages. HUD Former President Bill Clinton took executive action shortly before leaving office in 2001 to improve the access that people with limited English proficiency had to government services. Trump's March executive order to make English the official US language revoked Clinton's directive and noted that 'nothing in this order, however, requires or directs any change in the services provided by any agency.' Following guidance from the Justice Department, HUD decided that the best way to implement Trump's executive order was to roll back other language translations, which some officials in the housing agency believe will save taxpayer dollars. The new changes at HUD are set to be 'effective immediately,' and the department will begin scrubbing some of the translated materials provided on its website in what Hughes described as an 'ongoing and iterative' implementation process. 4 HUD is the latest government department to take steps towards implementing President Trump's executive order. Getty Images 'All HUD communications, correspondence, and physical and digital published materials will be produced exclusively in English and that we will no longer offer non-English translation services,' Hughes' memo states. 'Additionally, please immediately remove all printed or digital collateral about non-English translation services currently displayed in HUD offices or HUD-funded facilities. Printed or digital collateral not in English can be replaced with an English-only version.' The department also plans to conduct a review of English translation service contracts. Last month, the DOJ blasted out guidance to all federal agencies last month on how to best carry out Trump's executive order. In about six months, the DOJ will provide agencies with updated guidance and allow time for public comment to determine whether or not further adjustments are warranted.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmaker pushes bill to ban derogatory mascots towards people with disabilities
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Mascots have long been symbols of schools, sports teams, and their spirit, yet some have been controversial due to their negative stereotypes, derogatory language, and cultural appropriation. A new bill filed in the State Capitol would ban public schools, from Pre-K to universities, from using mascots with slurs that are discriminatory against people with dwarfism. Dwarfism is considered a disability under the Americans with Disability Act. According to Little People of America, the 'M' word in referring to people with dwarfism is considered offensive. State lawmaker takes measures to prevent rent fixing from algorithms in Illinois Bill sponsor Representative Maurice West (D-Rockford) said his bill's aim is to bring inclusivity and cast away traditions that are harmful to other communities. 'I totally understand the use of tradition, but I ask people to look at this within the lens of empathy. and within the lens of inclusivity,' West said. 'Understanding that, though it is a tradition, there is a community of people that is affected disproportionately from this tradition.' If it becomes law, schools can no longer use their existing mascots, logos or names that are considered derogatory or stereotypical toward people with disabilities after Sept. 2028. One school in the Metro East, Freeburg Community High School, is among one of the five schools in the country whose mascot is a derogatory word for a person with dwarfism. Bill in State Capitol would require insurance companies to cover stuttering for children Gary Arnold, former president of Little People of America, said he went to the school in Illinois three different times to address the concern and ask the school to change the mascot; however, no change was made. He said the word used toward them impacts their lives. 'We memorialize poets and authors based upon their words. We quote leaders whose words inspire us, and the actions of tyrants are often foreshadowed by the words that they speak. Words matter,' Arnold said. 'And they affect people with dwarfism, their families and their communities wherever they live.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Somerville will hold two public forums on $44 million school referendum
SOMERVILLE - The school district will hold two public forums on the $44 million March 11 referendum for improvements to the borough's three schools. The school district is inviting community members to an in-person forum/building tour at Somerville High School on Feb. 19 and a virtual forum on Zoom on March 4, both at 7 p.m. 'As the vote date nears, we want to ensure that every resident of Somerville is aware of the bond referendum and understands what it could mean for our schools, students, and community,' said Superintendent Gary Lubisco, Jr. 'The two formats give community members options and flexibility for how and when to engage.' Community members will hear from district leaders, board members, teachers, demographers, and the financial and architectural advisers who led the planning for the bond referendum. There will also be question-and-answer periods. The Feb. 19 tour and forum at the high school on Davenport Street will begin with a 30-minute presentation and a 30-minute question-and-answer session in the High School Media Center. At 8 p.m. there will be a tour of the building, which opened in September 1970, to see the spaces that would be renovated if the referendum passes, including the science labs and auditorium, both of which have not been renovated in a half-century. On March 4 there will be a virtual forum on Zoom option for those who cannot attend the in-person forum. A Zoom link to join will be available on closer to the event. Paricipants will be able to type their questions into the question-and-answer function of Zoom. A recording of the forum will later be available on The referendum will have two ballot questions. Proposed projects on the first ballot question will include projects at every school, ranging from updating five science labs at Somerville High School to a new multi-sport turf field at Van Derveer Elementary School. A second ballot question would bring a new athletic building to Somerville High School. More: Somerville voters will decide $44 million school referendum in March A short video on the referendum is available at Approval of the two questions would bring to Somerville Public Schools approximately $7.3 million in state aid to help offset the $44 million in project costs. The first question would approve $23.215 million for projects at the high school, middle school and Van Der Veer School. Those projects include: Somerville High School's auditorium and four science labs on the third floor of the 1970's wing would be fully renovated. Somerville Middle School would be updated with a new security vestibule and Americans with Disability Act entrance lift; partial replacement of limited roof sections; and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) improvements in the auditorium and gymnasium. At Van Der Veer Elementary School, the projects would include a new security vestibule; a new steel storage building to house athletic equipment and facilities storage; new multipurpose room; and new multi-sport turf field. 'Somerville Public Schools has a reputation for setting and maintaining high standards in academics, athletics, and extracurriculars − it's why so many residents choose to live in Somerville,' said Lubisco. 'The Board of Education and I know that to continue this tradition, we need to invest in the district's three school buildings through a referendum that allows us to access state aid.' The second question for $21.8 million proposes a 24,000-square-foot athletics building at Somerville High School with a new full-size gymnasium; a new athletic training facility; a locker room and weight room; concession stand; and Somerville Athletic Hall of Fame. The second question can pass only if the first question is approved. Only Somerville residents can vote in the referendum. Residents of Branchburg, who sends its high school students in Somerville, cannot vote on the referendum. Email: mdeak@ This article originally appeared on Somerville will hold 2 public forums on $44 million school referendum
