Latest news with #GEARUP
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sen. John Kennedy and Linda McMahon make significant math error in congressional hearing
On Tuesday, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon tested before the Senate on behalf of Trump's 2026 budget. During this hearing, McMahon and Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy were discussing federal spending for grant programs for disadvantaged students when the pair made a significant mathematical error. The math error occurred when the two spoke on how much the government has spent in the duration of ten years on TRIO and the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP). After McMahon confirmed to Kennedy that the government spends approximately $1.58 billion a year on TRIO and has been funding this program for over ten years, Kennedy said, "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,' said Kennedy before he went on to imply that colleges have been stealing this grant money from the government for their own purposes, The New Republic reported. McMahon failed to catch and correct Kennedy's math error, however, Sen. John Reed spoke up and corrected the counting mistake. '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,' said Reed. McMahon said in response that the budget cuts $1.2 billion, to which Reed then replied, "Well that would be $12 billion, not a trillion dollars." Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@ This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Sen. John Kennedy math error. What he said education costs
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- 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
04-06-2025
- 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
03-06-2025
- 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
03-06-2025
- 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.'
