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Tag: Eliminating
Trump suggests eliminating FEMA while touring disaster site
President Donald Trump, during a visit to North Carolina on Friday, floated terminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“I’ll be signing an executive order to begin the process of fundamentally reforming and overhauling FEMA or maybe getting rid of FEMA,” he said. “I think, frankly, FEMA is not good.”
The president suggested that states should play a more significant role in disaster response.
“FEMA has been a very big disappointment. They cost a tremendous amount of money. It’s very bureaucratic, and it’s very slow. Other than that, we’re very happy with them,” he said to laughter. “I think that when there’s a problem with the state, I think that that problem should be taken care of by the state.”
When asked about the timeline for such an order, Trump dodged, describing it as “going to be a period of time.”
Trump has been critical of the response to and recovery from Hurricane Helene in the Southeast and Appalachia and the southern California wildfires, even mentioning it in his inaugural address Monday.
Given that FEMA is authorized in statute, it’s uncertain how much authority Trump would have to unilaterally make changes to its organization.
Trump also said that he would put Michael Whatley — the chairman of the Republican National Committee who was part of the trip — “in charge of making sure everything goes well.”
When asked if Whatley’s role would be inside or outside of FEMA, Trump said he could have “any role he wants.”
Whatley previously served as chairman of the North Carolina GOP and worked for numerous Republican officials. Based on his LinkedIn, he does not have any experience in disaster management.
Gov. Kristi Noem, R-S.D., Trump’s nominee to lead the Homeland Security Department, said in her confirmation hearing on Jan. 17 that FEMA “failed miserably” at responding to Hurricane Helene.
As of Oct. 29, 2024, approximately $2.3 billion had been approved for direct assistance, debris removal and emergency protective measures with respect to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Also, more than 1,400 FEMA personnel were on the ground.
While responding to Helene, FEMA paused its door-to-door canvassing following a surge of online posts that threatened violence against federal responders over misinformation about the agency’s relief efforts. An armed man was arrested in North Carolina after making threats against federal personnel.
Also, FEMA removed a supervisor who instructed employees to skip over homes visibly supporting Trump in Florida. The agency has launched an internal probe into the incident.
Gallup reported in 2023 that 49% of Americans rated FEMA as being excellent or good at its job, one of the highest ratings in the survey.
In a shocking turn of events, President Trump has suggested eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) while touring a disaster site. This has sparked outrage and confusion among many Americans, as FEMA plays a crucial role in providing relief and assistance during natural disasters.During his visit to the disaster site, Trump reportedly questioned the need for FEMA and suggested that states should take more responsibility for their own disaster response efforts. This statement has raised concerns about the potential consequences of dismantling FEMA, including delays in response times, inadequate resources for disaster relief, and a lack of coordination between states during emergencies.
Critics have condemned Trump’s suggestion as reckless and short-sighted, highlighting the importance of having a centralized agency like FEMA to coordinate disaster response efforts and provide much-needed support to affected communities. As the debate over the future of FEMA continues, it remains to be seen how this controversial proposal will impact disaster relief efforts in the United States.
Tags:
- Trump FEMA elimination
- Disaster site tour
- FEMA news update
- Trump disaster response
- Trump FEMA controversy
- FEMA elimination proposal
- Disaster relief politics
- FEMA budget cuts
- Trump disaster management
- FEMA future uncertain
#Trump #suggests #eliminating #FEMA #touring #disaster #site
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott proposes eliminating DEI programs in public schools
The push expands on efforts from the last legislative session in 2023, when state lawmakers banned DEI programs at public universities statewide.
AUSTIN, Texas — As the first week of the legislative session comes to an end, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is calling on state lawmakers to further restrict diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI.
In a post on Xon Thursday, just two days after state lawmakers gaveled in the 89th legislative session at the Capitol, Abbott said he wants to ban DEI initiatives in K-12 public schools.
“No taxpayer dollars will be used to fund DEI in our schools,” Abbott said on X. “Schools must focus on fundamentals of education, not indoctrination.”
KVUE reached out to Abbott’s office on Friday to get more details on the tweet and what the governor is proposing, but we did not hear back at the time of publication.
The push to ban DEI in K-12 schools expands on what state lawmakers did in the 2023 legislative session.
State lawmakers passed Senate Bill 17, which forced publicly-funded colleges and universities across Texas to shut down DEI programs, initiatives or training. It also requires public institutions to limit the mention of DEI and support for DEI initiatives and eliminate diversity-related positions or conditions for employment or admission related to DEI. The law went into effect at the start of 2024. It has led to the shuttering of DEI programs and initiatives on campuses across the state.
The tweet drew praise from State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe), who became Senate president pro tem this week. He authored Senate Bill 17 in 2023.
“SB 17 has become a model for the entire nation,” Creighton posted on X. “I am ready to expand the law to protect the 6 million students in Texas schools from failed, divisive DEI programs. Let’s get to work.”
Emily Witt, a media and communications strategist at the Texas Freedom Network, believes DEI programs, initiatives and offices are vital for underrepresented and minority groups.
“Texas lawmakers have a responsibility to serve all Texans and families that are in our public education system, regardless of the color of their skin, the zip code they live in, or if they or their families are LGBTQ,” Witt said.
Witt said she worries it could put kids at risk and cause more pain for an already marginalized group of Texans.
“I think the impact would be that our kids wouldn’t all feel safe and embraced in our schools and that kids who are not LGBTQ would get the message that it’s okay to bully other children or belittle people who aren’t like you or come from the same background as you,” Witt said. “Resources should be available to make all families and children feel welcome in our public schools.”
State Rep. Stan Gerdes (R-Bastrop) has filed a bill in the House to ban DEI initiatives in government entities, like school districts and open-enrollment charter schools.
“I look forward to passing my bill to ban DEI in our public schools and government agencies and onto your desk for signature, Gov. Abbott,” Gerdes posted on X.
Gerdes was unavailable for an interview on Friday, and Creighton’s office did not respond to an interview request.
“It’s not surprising that now sites are set on K-12 schools to distract from actually fixing the issues that are real and present in our schools and creating problems where there really are none,” Witt said. “There’s nothing wrong with embracing people from all different backgrounds. It’s good for all of us to ensure people have the resources to thrive no matter where they come from.”
This is the latest effort by Texas Republican leaders to control inclusivity programs at institutions and discussions in the classroom on topics like gender and sexual orientation.
“Our students deserve to be free to learn in their schools without politicians inserting their personal and religious agendas into their public schools, while children from different backgrounds deserve to be represented in curriculums and embraced at school,” Witt said. “We’re doing a disservice not only to the children who aren’t seeing themselves reflected but to white children from heteronormative families, who maybe wouldn’t learn about anyone who doesn’t look like them.”
Abbott’s threat to cut funding to ensure taxpayer dollars don’t go to DEI programs comes as public school districts are in a critical moment, largely because of a lack of significant public school funding. The State of Texas hasn’t increased education funding since 2019.
As a result, districts statewide are grappling with multimillion-dollar budget deficits and are considering closing some schools.
This week, Eanes ISD leaders voted unanimously to close Valley View Elementary School after the district estimated a budget deficit of about $6.5 million.
Education will be a significant part of this legislative session. School choice is a top priority for Abbott and Republican leaders. Abbott has said he believes he has the votes to pass the program, which would allow Texas families to use public tax dollars to send their kids to private schools. Abbott campaigned against several incumbent legislators who previously blocked the passage of the program.
The Senate has passed vouchers five times, but those proposals have died in the House every time.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has said that passing school choice will be the Senate’s top priority, only behind the state budget. He’s hoping Abbott will declare it as an emergency item. If that happens, it will allow lawmakers to pass those bills sooner. For the first 60 days of the legislative session, lawmakers can only pass bills on topics designated as “emergency items” by the Governor.
The 89th Texas legislative session runs through June 2.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has recently proposed eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in public schools across the state. This controversial move has sparked debate among educators, parents, and lawmakers, with supporters arguing that DEI programs are necessary to promote equality and understanding among students of diverse backgrounds, while critics believe that such programs promote divisive ideologies and undermine traditional values.Governor Abbott’s proposal comes amidst a larger national debate over the role of DEI programs in education, with some states opting to ban critical race theory and other concepts related to diversity and inclusion. Abbott has stated that he believes DEI programs are too focused on racial and social justice issues, and that they do not align with the state’s values of individual freedom and personal responsibility.
The elimination of DEI programs in Texas public schools would undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for students and educators. Supporters of the programs argue that they are essential for creating inclusive and equitable learning environments, while opponents believe that they are unnecessary and divisive.
As the debate continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether Governor Abbott’s proposal will be implemented and what impact it will have on the education system in Texas. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
Tags:
- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott
- DEI programs
- Public schools
- Education reform
- Texas politics
- Cultural diversity
- Inclusive education
- Governor Abbott’s proposal
- Texas school system
- Social justice initiatives
#Texas #Gov #Greg #Abbott #proposes #eliminating #DEI #programs #public #schools
DOGE doubles down on eliminating the government agency that’s cracking down on overdraft fees
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Vivek Ramaswamy doubled down on DOGE’s calls to eliminate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
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He wrote on X that the CFPB overstepped its authority with its recent rule to limit overdraft fees.
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The CFPB’s rule aims to cap bank overdraft fees, not eliminate them, saving consumers billions.
Vivek Ramaswamy has called out a government agency’s latest rule to give Americans banking relief as an example of why the office should be eliminated.
Ramaswamy, who was tapped by Donald Trump to co-lead a new Department of Government Efficiency to make spending-cut recommendations, posted on X on Thursday that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau had exceeded its authority with its recent rule to limit overdraft fees.
“The new administration can & should nullify this overreach, but we must go further: this latest gambit of the CFPB is just a symptom of a deeper (and unconstitutional) cancer of unelected bureaucrats substituting their policy judgments for those of Congress,” Ramaswamy said. “That’s un-American & needs to end.”
While DOGE is an advisory commission and would not have the power to eliminate agencies or cut spending on its own, it is in a position to make recommendations. Elon Musk, the co-head of DOGE, said in November that the Trump administration should “delete CFPB.”
The CFPB finalized a rule on December 12 that would require banks to limit overdraft fees — the amount charged to customers when they attempt to spend more than their balance. The agency estimated that the new rule would save Americans up to $5 billion each year, or $225 per household.
“The CFPB has heard from tens of thousands of Americans who are sick and tired of paying billions in junk fees,” Allison Preiss, a CFPB spokesperson, told Business Insider in a statement. “This rule is common sense and long overdue, and it’s unclear why big banks are scared to be transparent with their customers about the interest rate they’re charging on overdraft loans.”
The rule updates federal regulations for banks with over $10 billion in assets, including major institutions like Bank of America and Capitol One. Banks can now choose between two options to address overdraft fees: They could implement a $5 cap on fees, or they could set their fee at an amount necessary to cover the bank’s costs and losses. Banks earning profits on overdraft fees would also be required to disclose the terms of the fees, as they already do with credit cards and other types of loans.
The CFPB took action against Wells Fargo in 2022 after the bureau said it charged consumers surprise overdraft fees, which resulted in customers receiving $205 million in refunds. Other federal agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Transportation, have also taken steps to ban hidden and excessive fees.
The CFPB is no stranger to criticism. The Supreme Court in May rejected a conservative-led lawsuit that sought to dismantle the CFPB’s funding structure. The lawsuit argued that Congress should have to approve annual funding for the agency rather than it receiving funding in perpetuity. Since its creation in 2011 in the wake of the financial crisis, the CFPB has received funds directly from the Federal Reserve, allowing it to carry out its functions independently of the political appropriations process.
Trump, Musk, and Ramaswamy have called for eliminating other federal agencies including the Education Department, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
It’s unclear if DOGE will succeed in its efforts to eliminate agencies like the CFPB. However, Rohit Chopra, the head of the CFPB, warned Musk and Ramaswamy in an interview earlier this month with MSNBC that axing the agency is “begging for a financial crisis” and would have dire consequences.
“I don’t understand why people would want financial crime,” Chopra said, “and if they say it’s duplicative, who else will do it?”
Read the original article on Business Insider
DOGE, the decentralized digital currency, is taking a firm stance against government intervention in the financial sector by doubling down on efforts to eliminate the agency responsible for cracking down on overdraft fees.In a recent statement, DOGE announced its support for removing the agency, arguing that its regulations only serve to limit consumer choice and stifle innovation in the banking industry. The currency believes that individuals should have the freedom to make their own financial decisions without interference from a centralized authority.
DOGE’s push to eliminate the agency comes at a time when overdraft fees have become a major source of revenue for banks, generating billions of dollars in profit each year. Critics argue that these fees disproportionately impact low-income individuals and perpetuate financial inequality.
By advocating for the removal of the agency, DOGE is signaling its commitment to creating a more equitable financial system that empowers individuals to manage their money on their own terms. The currency’s supporters are rallying behind this initiative, calling for a more decentralized approach to banking that puts the power back in the hands of the people.
As DOGE continues to gain traction as a viable alternative to traditional currencies, its efforts to challenge the status quo in the financial industry are likely to spark further debate and discussion about the role of government oversight in regulating financial institutions.
Tags:
- DOGE cryptocurrency news
- Overdraft fees crackdown
- Government agency regulation
- DOGE price surge
- Cryptocurrency market update
- Digital currency trends
- Financial regulations impact
- DOGE community response
- Cryptocurrency investment opportunities
- Overdraft fee controversy
#DOGE #doubles #eliminating #government #agency #cracking #overdraft #fees
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Vanilla Bean Odor Eliminating Highly Fragranced Candle – Eliminates 95% of Pet, Smoke, Food, and Other Smells Quickly – Up to 80 Hour Burn time – 12 Ounce Premium Soy Blend
Price: $14.75
(as of Dec 24,2024 09:54:04 UTC – Details)
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