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Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
4 Unified Government seats are up for the taking. Who in Wyandotte wants them?
Nearly half the seats on the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas's board are up for grabs this fall, and four of those races will start with a primary election later this summer. The filing deadline to vie for a spot on one of the commission's open at-large and in-district seats was last Monday. At that time, five people were seeking the District 2 at-large position; five were seeking the District 1 seat; three filed for District 5; and four filed for the District 8 seat. Commissioner Chuck Stites is running uncontested for his District 7 seat. The contests are among a string of public offices opening this election year across Wyandotte County. Voters will also elect the next Unified Government mayor/CEO, county sheriff, respective school board members, public utility board members and more. After the Aug. 5 primary, the candidate pool for each race will narrow down to two top candidates who will vie in the Nov. 4 general election. July 15 is the last day to register to vote in the primary election. Check your registration and status and see the full list of candidates on the county's election website. Go to the county's commission map to see which board members represent your neighborhood. Candidates are listed in filing order by date. The at-large District 2 position is currently held by Tom Burroughs. His jurisdiction includes districts 2, 3, 6 and 7. The at-large District 1 seat oversees commission districts 1, 4, 5 and 8. Burroughs is leaving his seat on the commission to run to replace outgoing Mayor Tyrone Garner alongside five other candidates. Candidates running in the District 2 at-large race: J. Michael Tiner Mackey, a former Bonner Springs councilmember who previously sought the District 2 office in 2021; Philip Lopez, current District 6 commissioner; Luis Madrigal, a former KCK fire captain; KalIie McLaughlin, a former Unified Government employee who worked in planning and zoning; Andrew Kump, an attorney with Shamrock Trading Corporation. District 3 Commissioner Christian Ramirez also filed for the position but pulled out before the deadline. He announced the decision in a May 31 social media statement. 'However, as national politics and divisive rhetoric increasingly seep into our community, I believe my efforts are best focused on continuing the work I began in District 3,' he wrote. Five people are competing for the District 1 seat currently held by Gayle Townsend, who is not seeking reelection this year. She was first elected to the seat in 2013, according to the Unified Government website. Candidates for the District 1 seat include: Korri Hall, a student services director at the University of Kansas' GEAR UP program; Victor A. Harris, owner of a lawn care and snow removal service; Darnell Busch, an information technologies director at Jade Alarm Company; Jermaine Howard, who works for Hopeful Housing Management; Lisa Walker-Yeager, who served as a local neighborhood association vice president and previously ran for office. Three candidates, including one current Unified Government staff member, are running for Mike Kane's District 5 seat. Kane, who held the seat for 20 years, is not running for another term. Candidates for District 5 are: Alma D. Hall, an athletic director in Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools; Carlos Pacheco III, a local physician; Lavert A. Murray, an economic development advisor and business liaison in Garner's office. Commissioner Andrew Davis will be challenged by three people in his bid for reelection. Davis was first elected to his seat in 2021. Candidates for the District 8 include: Davis; Jacob Handy, a program director at High Aspirations, a faith-based mentorship program; Madella Henderson, a resident that publicly came forward as an alleged victim of KCKPD officer Roger Golubski and advocated for justice for survivors and their families; Nanette Tucker, who provides transportation services to students receiving behavioral support or special education services.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Trump education secretary Linda McMahon stumbles over trillion-dollar funding math for disadvantaged students
Education Secretary Linda McMahon laughs before a Senate Appropriations hearing, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo) In a widely watched Senate hearing, US Education Secretary Linda McMahon made a significant mathematical error while defending President Trump's 2026 education budget proposal. The mistake, which unfolded during a conversation about federal grant programs for disadvantaged students, quickly drew attention from lawmakers and the media, sparking concerns about the administration's understanding of major education funding streams. The exchange took place during McMahon's testimony before the Senate regarding federal support for TRIO and the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, also known as GEAR UP. These initiatives receive substantial annual funding to support low-income and first-generation college students. As reported by The New Republic, Republican Senator John Kennedy asked McMahon if the government spends $1.58 billion annually on TRIO. McMahon confirmed the figure, but both she and Kennedy failed to grasp the math when estimating the long-term cost. Basic math error sparks major funding confusion According to The New Republic, Senator Kennedy followed up by asking, "That's one thousand five hundred and eighty million dollars a year? Is my math right?" McMahon responded, "I think that's right, sir." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cardiologists: How to Quickly Lose a Hanging Tummy Health Wellness Journal Watch More Undo Kennedy then asked how long the program had been running. When McMahon responded that it had been more than ten years, Kennedy mistakenly concluded, "So that's over a trillion dollars that we've spent on this program. " McMahon did not correct the miscalculation. The math error, which overstated $1.58 billion per year over ten years as "over a trillion dollars," was immediately challenged by Democratic Senator Jack Reed. As quoted by The New Republic, Reed clarified, "I'm not a great mathematician, but I think you were talking about a trillion dollars? I believe $1.5 billion times 10 is $15 billion, and that's a little bit off from a trillion dollars." Despite this correction, McMahon appeared uncertain and did not provide a clear response, instead stating, "I think the budget cuts $1.2 billion. " Reed again corrected her, saying, "Well that would be $12 billion, not a trillion dollars." Concerns grow over grant allocations and budget transparency In addition to the math missteps, McMahon drew criticism for her refusal to give a direct answer on whether her department would distribute congressionally appropriated funds for after-school programs. As reported by The New Republic, Senator Tammy Baldwin pressed McMahon, stating, "This isn't a nuanced question... If the answer isn't simply 'yes,' that leads me to believe that you are planning to withhold funding and short-change schools, students, and families across America. " Despite repeated opportunities, McMahon did not offer a definitive commitment to honoring congressional intent, raising further concerns about transparency and accountability within the Department of Education under the Trump administration. The hearing's revelations have reignited debate over the management of federal education funds and highlighted the need for basic fiscal literacy among top government officials. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Education Secretary Linda McMahon struggles with basic math when trying to add up proposed budget cuts
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon was given a math lesson during a Senate hearing on Tuesday when Senator Jack Reed pointed out that $1.5 multiplied by 10 is not 'over a trillion dollars' but actually $15 billion. Sitting before the appropriations subcommittee that focuses on education, McMahon nodded her head along as Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana mistakenly claimed that the U.S. spends '$1,580,000' on federal grant programs, known as TRIO and GEAR UP, per year and that after 10 years, that adds up to be 'over a trillion dollars.' The U.S. actually spends $1.58 billion per year on the programs, which does not add up to more than a trillion after 10 years. But, McMahon did not correct Kennedy's math error. However, Reed, the senator from Rhode Island, did. 'I'm not a great mathematician, but I think you were talking about a trillion dollars? I believe $1.5 billion times 10 is $15 billion, that's a little bit off from a trillion dollars,' Reed said. McMahon responded, 'I think the budget cuts $1.2 billion for TRIO.' 'Well, $1.2 billion that would be $12 billion, not a trillion dollars,' Reed replied. 'Ok,' McMahon said. The math blunder was part of McMahon's testimony about President Donald Trump's 2026 budget proposal, which includes sweeping cuts to the Department of Education – drastically impacting education grants such as TRIO or GEAR UP. The Independent has asked the Department of Education for comment. TRIO, a federal program comprised of various grants, are some of the Education Department's largest investments aimed at assisting low-income or first-generation college students or individuals with disabilities to advance through the academic pipeline. In 2024, the Education Department provided $1.191 billion for the program. GEAR UP, a federal grant program, assists low-income students preparing to enter postsecondary education. In 2024, the Education Department provided $388 million for the program. But under Trump's proposed 'skinny budget,' essentially all of the TRIO and GEAR UP grants would be eliminated. It's part of his efforts to shutter the Education Department. During the hearing, Senator Susan Collins of Maine aired concerns about the cuts to TRIO, saying she had 'seen the lives of countless first-generation and low-income students, not only in Maine, but across the country… changed by the TRIO program.' Education advocacy groups such as the Council for Opportunity in Education and the Institute for College Access & Success have condemned the proposed budget, saying it would negatively impact millions of students – particularly those of low-income households.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump Education Secretary Gets Embarrassing Math Lesson in Hearing
The U.S. secretary of education is having issues with basic math. Linda McMahon testified on Trump's 2026 budget before the Senate on Tuesday. While discussing spending on federal grants programs for disadvantaged students—TRIO and the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, or GEAR UP—she made a massive math error. 'We spend $1.58 billion a year on TRIO?' Republican Senator John Kennedy asked McMahon. 'Yes,' she replied. 'That's one thousand, five hundred and eighty million dollars a year? Is my math right?' Kennedy said, spelling out $1.58 billion. 'I think that's right, sir.' 'And how long have we been spending one thousand five hundred and eighty million a year on this program?' he asked. 'I'm not sure the total length and time of the program.' 'More than 10 years?' 'Yes.' 'So that's over a trillion dollars that we've spent on this program.… We give this money, as I appreciate it, to colleges and universities to encourage poor kids to go to college,' Kennedy said, before going on to insinuate that the colleges were stealing this grant money from the government for their own purposes. Democratic Senator John Reed jumped in to check the math, as both Kennedy and the education secretary were way off. 'I'm not a great mathematician, but I think you were talking about a trillion dollars? I believe $1.5 billion times 10 is $15 billion, and that's a little bit off from a trillion dollars,' Reed stated, referring to Kennedy and McMahon's claim. 'I think the budget cuts $1.2 billion,' McMahon responded. 'Well that would be $12 billion, not a trillion dollars,' said Reed, calmly holding McMahon and Kennedy's hands through what amounted to a third-grade math lesson. 'OK,' McMahon said stiffly. The hearing was a mess in other ways, as well. McMahon also refused to clarify to Senator Tammy Baldwin whether or not she would distribute congressionally appropriated funds for after-school programs. 'What we have done in putting forward our operating plan, the first operating plan to show where we're making allocations, and then followed up with the second operating plan—' 'This isn't a nuanced question,' Baldwin interrupted. 'Congress passed a law appropriating this funding. You said in your confirmation hearing you would spend funding Congress appropriated. If the answer isn't simply 'yes,' based on all the evidence before us, that leads me to believe that you are planning to withhold funding and short-change schools, students, and families across America.'
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
McMahon Takes Flak From Democrats, Republicans at Congressional Budget Hearing
Education Secretary Linda McMahon defended a 15% cut in education funding Wednesday as she faced skeptical members of Congress on both sides of the aisle. For over two hours, she fielded questions on a 'skinny' 2026 budget that lacks details on how the administration would shrink $4 billion for K-12 programs into a $2 billion block grant for states. She drew sharp words from the ranking Democrat for canceling funding for school mental health professionals and grants to train teachers. 'By recklessly incapacitating the department you lead you are usurping Congress's authority and infringing on Congress's power of the purse,' said Connecticut Democrat Rosa DeLauro. The current budget, she said, 'was passed in the House, was passed in the Senate — civics 101 — and the president signed it. It's the law of the land.' Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter At least one Republican also questioned McMahon about why the department is recommending a $1.6 billion cut to programs intended to help more poor and minority students get into college. 'It is one of the most effective programs in the federal government,' said Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho, referring to TRIO, a package of eight programs that encourage connections between colleges and K-12 schools. McMahon would also cut GEAR UP, a college readiness program that targets low-income students beginning in middle school. She cited an anecdotal report of TRIO funds covering the cost of a trip to Disney World. 'I'm not sure that all the expenses in TRIO should be there,' she said, but added that if colleges and universities aren't reaching out to K-12 schools on their own, they should be. While past secretaries have called for cuts in funding, none have presented a budget in the midst of such aggressive attempts to eliminate the department. The proposed cuts, she said, represent a desire to cut bureaucracy, end 'federal overreach,' and give states and parents more control over education. Despite cutting over half the staff, she said employees who remain 'haven't missed a beat' in implementing the programs they're charged with overseeing. She stressed that there are no plans to cut Title I grants to low-income schools or funding for students with disabilities. 'Democrats tried to tie proposed budget cuts to ending the department and, somehow, ending all public education,' said Neal McCluskey, director of the libertarian Cato Institute's Center for Educational Freedom and a proponent of funding private school choice. 'But the secretary handled that very well, making clear that the goal is to cut bureaucracy and federal controls in order to improve education and adhere to the Constitution.' But others say the overhaul has created confusion and chaos. States and districts nationwide are still waiting on details of how much in Title I funds they can expect to receive this fall — a delay that complicates hiring and budgeting decisions. 'We have not received any guidance from our state department of education,' said Jeremy Vidito, chief financial officer for the Detroit Public Schools Community District. Regardless of any cuts at the federal level, his district has promised not to lay off staff. But a delay of six months or more,' he said, 'would lead to cash flow issues that we would have to manage.' Related Last week, Democrats in the House and Senate sent McMahon a letter, laying out the ways they believe her department is stumbling — from giving districts compressed timelines for grant applications to abruptly ending funding that schools depend on. 'We were told your department's work would be efficient, particularly after the reduction in force,' they wrote. 'But that does not appear to be the case here.' The department has not responded to questions about when it will release the remainder of funds for the current federal fiscal year, which expires at the end of September. But McMahon repeatedly told the committee she would follow the law. 'That is the bare minimum of what the American people should expect from a federal agency tasked by Congress with serving our nation's children,' said Keri Rodrigues, president of the National Parents Union, who sat just behind McMahon during the hearing. What bothered Rodrigues most was McMahon's admission that Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency made the decision to cut roughly 1,300 staff members. She just carried it out after she was confirmed and said she has little knowledge about the backgrounds of the DOGE staff that Rodrigues said are 'wielding extraordinary power within the agency,' The department has since hired back 74 staff members who were fired, McMahon said. Eric Duncan, director of P-12 policy at EdTrust, which advocates for programs that improve educational equity, noted that McMahon aims to cut programs that received support from both sides of the aisle. 'We were encouraged by the critical feedback on the department's decision to cut school mental health grants,' he said. 'Cutting these funds risks bipartisan priorities: improved mental health supports increase school safety and improve academic outcomes.' In one tense exchange, Rep. Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania, a Democrat, asked McMahon if she's ever met with students who survived school shootings, like in Uvalde, Texas, or Parkland, Florida.. The secretary said she had only met with parents from Sandy Hook because she's from Connecticut. 'Do you plan to do that?' Dean asked about meeting with students. 'How soon can you do that? 'I've got a lot of responsibilities,' McMahon said. Aside from Simpson's concern about college readiness programs, most GOP members of the committee commended McMahon for her efforts to downsize the agency and elevate school choice. 'Thankfully some states have pursued choice options for students whose traditional public schools have not served them well,' said Republican Robert Aderholt of Alabama, who chairs the subcommittee on education. Prioritizing choice and giving states more control are two of the three goals for any future grant programs she laid out in a Federal Register posting Tuesday. The third is improving literacy. 'We have seen such decreases or failing in our schools because we are not teaching our children to read,' she said. 'We've lost the fundamental basics, and I want to see our schools return to the science of reading.' DeLauro, however, listed a federal literacy grant program, which provides up to $14 million to states to improve reading skills, especially among low-income students and English learners, as one of the 18 'unspecified programs' potentially on the chopping block. 'A block grant is a cut. All of my colleagues here know that,' she said. 'The states cannot afford to pick up the slack.'
