Latest news with #Sullivan
The Hill
15 hours ago
- Business
- The Hill
Senate Republicans' new SNAP proposal prompts GOP concern
A GOP-backed proposal that would shift some of the cost of food assistance to states for the first time is drawing renewed concern in the party, as critics argue the effort could lead to states cutting benefits on their own. Republicans are pushing to pass the proposal — which could see states with higher payment error rates covering a greater share of benefit costs — as a part of the broader spending cuts and tax package in the coming days. But that doesn't mean some Republicans aren't concerned about the measure. 'Our big thing is the data to be used, the data to be used on the error rate,' Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska.) told The Hill on Friday. 'So, that's important to make sure that the data is as accurate and reflective of the year you're judging as possible.' Numbers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture showed Alaska's payment error rate — which factors in overpayment and underpayment error rates — hit above 60 percent in fiscal year 2023. The national average hit at 11.68 percent. Sullivan noted the state has seen much lower payment error rates prior to the pandemic and is on a path to improving those figures, noting new numbers are expected soon. But he added, 'It's still higher than our traditional error rate, and as you know, the cost share is based in part on that.' According to the Alaska Beacon, the state's error rate hiked after state officials said they violated federal rules in order to continue feeding people amid a significant backlog in applications. Under the initial plan crafted by the Senate Agriculture Committee, Republicans sought to require states to cover some of the cost of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits if they have a payment error rate above 6 percent beginning in fiscal 2028. The proposal in the megabill would also allow states with rates below that level to continue paying zero percent. It also proposes states with higher payment error rates cover a greater share of benefit costs. If the error rate is 6 percent or higher, states would be subject to a sliding scale that could see their share of allotments rise to a range of between 5 percent and 15 percent. However, Senate Republicans tweaked the plan after facing a setback when their 'state cost-share' proposal was rejected by the chamber's rules referee as part of a megabill the party hopes to pass in the coming days. A release from the agriculture committee said the updated plan would allow states to choose the payment error either fiscal year 2025 or 2026 to 'calculate their state match requirement that begins in Fiscal Year 2028.' For the following fiscal year, the 'state match will be calculated using the payment error rate from three fiscal years prior,' the committee said, adding a 'state must contribute a set percentage of the cost of its SNAP benefits if its payment error rate exceeds six percent.' Asked about further potential changes to the plan, Agriculture chairman Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.) said Friday that negotiators 'worked really hard to try and get a situation that worked for as many people as we could, and I think we've achieved that.' 'Alaska is a unique state, unique situation, so I know that everybody's trying to work hard to accommodate situations that don't fit,' Boozman said Friday afternoon. 'So, I haven't heard of any changes, and I'm sure that, you know, [Senate Majority Leader John] Thune [(R-S.D.)] will grab me if that comes about.' Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Ala.) also expressed concerns about the proposal, telling reporters earlier on Friday that she's raised them with others in the party, according to Politico. Asked briefly about the party's SNAP proposal later, Murkowski told The Hill, 'We're still in trouble on SNAP.' 'The implementation is still next to impossible for us,' she said. Republicans say the states' cost-share proposal would incentivize states to improve their error rates. But Sullivan and Murkowski aren't the only Republicans who have voiced concerns about the effort in recent weeks. Originally, the House plan called for all states to cover 5 percent of the cost of allotments in its initial version of Trump's megabill, with states that had higher payment error rates having to pay anywhere between 15 percent and 25 percent. However, the proposal was dialed back after concerns from other Republicans, including Sens. Tommy Tuberville (Ala.) and Jim Justice (W. Va.) over the measure. Asked if he's meeting with Boozman or Thune on the matter, Sullivan also told The Hill on Friday evening that he's 'meeting with everybody.' 'For me, it's just important to get the data as close to the date that you're judging,' Sullivan said, adding that he expects Alaska to see a notable drop in its error rate in a coming report.
New York Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Gay journalist says LGBTQ movement has gone from civil rights success to ‘madness'
Gay journalist Andrew Sullivan said Thursday that the LGBTQ movement is losing ground in America because it has become 'radicalized.' In a New York Times guest essay, Sullivan marveled at how the gay rights movement traded a legacy of civil rights successes for radical ideas that are turning off modern-day Americans, like trying to rewrite the rules of biology and advocating for child transgender treatment — all the while demonizing Americans who aren't on board with those ideas. Advertisement 'Far from celebrating victory, defending the gains, staying vigilant, but winding down as a movement that had achieved its core objectives — including the end of H.I.V. in the United States as an unstoppable plague — gay and lesbian rights groups did the opposite. Swayed by the broader liberal shift to the 'social justice' left, they radicalized,' he wrote. Sullivan detailed how the gay rights movement changed for the worse after winning most of the victories for gay, lesbian and transgender civil rights in the past few decades. It became 'a new and radical gender revolution' that he said focused 'on ending what activists saw as the oppression of the sex binary, which some critical gender and queer theorists associated with 'White supremacy,'' dissolving the 'natural distinctions between men and women in society,' and replacing 'biological sex with 'gender identity' in the law and culture.' He also said modern LGBTQ activists redefined homosexuality 'not as a neutral fact of the human condition but as a liberating ideological 'queerness' meant to subvert and 'queer' language, culture and society in myriad different ways.' Sullivan added that because of this shift, the words 'gay and lesbian' in LGBT 'all but disappeared' as it became 'L.G.B.T.Q., then L.G.B.T.Q.+, and more letters and characters kept being added: L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ or 2S.L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ … The plus sign referred to a seemingly infinite number of new niche identities, and, by some counts, more than 70 new 'genders.'' Advertisement Conservative gay writer and commentator Andrew Sullivan. Sullivan continued, saying that the word ''Queer' was a way of summing up the new regime, a clear sign that this really was a different movement than the gay, lesbian and transgender civil rights movement of the past.' The author, though he said he welcomed some of the changes brought by this modern movement, said he 'simply didn't buy it.' Advertisement 'I didn't and don't believe that being a man or a woman has nothing to do with biology. My sexual orientation is based on a biological distinction between men and women: I'm attracted to the former and not to the latter. And now I was supposed to believe the difference didn't exist?' He called this development 'madness,' writing, 'But abolishing the sex binary for the entire society? That's a whole other thing entirely. And madness, I believe. What if I redefined what it is to be heterosexual and imposed it on straight people?' 'They demanded the entire society change in a fundamental way so that the sex binary no longer counted,' he said, noting how dissent with this principle was 'equated with bigotry.' The other major problem with this new version of the gay rights movement, he said, was the preoccupation with children's sexual orientations. Advertisement Sullivan continued, 'But this illiberalism made a fateful, strategic mistake. In the gay rights movement, there had always been an unspoken golden rule: Leave children out of it. We knew very well that any overreach there could provoke the most ancient blood libel against us: that we groom and abuse kids… So what did the gender revolutionaries go and do? They focused almost entirely on children and minors.' He detailed how gender ideology proponents taught kids that 'being a boy or a girl was something they could choose and change at will,' allowed biological males to compete in female sports, and, in some places, allowed kids to socially transition at school 'without their parents' knowledge or permission.' The author then mentioned the 'most radical of all: gender-affirming care for minors, which can lead to irreversible sex changes for children.' Though Sullivan said he welcomed some of the changes brought by this modern movement, he 'simply didn't buy it.' After mentioning the advent of these radical positions, Sullivan pointed to current polling showing people's support for the LGBTQ movement eroding. Citing a Gallup poll, he said, 'In 2021, for example, 62 percent of Americans said that transgender athletes should be able to play only on teams that matched their gender at birth; by 2023, that figure had risen to 69 percent.' 'When people who know a trans person personally were polled, only 40 percent in 2021 supported their competing in teams that matched their gender identity; by 2023, that dropped to 30 percent,' he said, mentioning another set of Gallup polls. 'On the medical question, 46 percent of Americans supported banning medical care related to gender transitions for minors in 2022. Today, as people have learned more, 56 percent do,' he said, citing Pew Research data. Keep up with today's most important news Stay up on the very latest with Evening Update. Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters Sullivan went on to note that because of this radicalism, the footholds that the gay rights movement carved out among the political center and right 'are being lost.' Advertisement 'Gallup showed Republican support for gay marriage dropping from 55 to 46 percent between 2022 and 2025,' he wrote. Sullivan concluded his piece by urging fellow liberals to protect the successes of the gay rights movement and not sacrifice them for radical ideology. 'Let's not throw it away,' he said.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fairfax City Economic Development Supports Creative Placemaking with New Mural in Old Town Fairfax
FAIRFAX CITY, Va., June 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Fairfax City Economic Development (FCED) will unveil "Fox in the Flowers," a new public art mural located at 10407 Main Street in Old Town Fairfax City on July 10 at 2 p.m. during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Designed by Bailey Sullivan, a Richmond-based illustrator known for her bold, floral-inspired artworks, the mural brings color, character, and a strengthened sense of place to the heart of the city. Commissioned as part of FCED's expanded focus on placemaking and tourism efforts, Fox in the Flowers celebrates the community's rich local identity. Situated on the second-story façade of Marlowe Ink Tattoo, above Senberry, the vibrant artwork features native flora, including crepe myrtles and dogwoods, surrounding the centerpiece, Fairfax City's unofficial mascot, the Fairfax Fox. The fox, a playful and symbolic figure, serves as a nod to the city's charm, history, and welcoming spirit. "My work is inspired by decorative European folk art," said Sullivan. "I love including lots of florals, animals, and other bits of nature. For this mural in particular, I was inspired by the fable of the fox and the crow. I'm honored to be able to paint in beautiful Old Town Fairfax and hope this piece sparks a little joy for those passing by." Sullivan's work has been featured in a range of prominent media, including book covers, U.S. postage stamps, and even the recently released autobiography of Dolly Parton. "This mural is more than a work of art—it's a vibrant expression of what makes Old Town Fairfax unique," said Tina Disch, executive director of the Old Town Fairfax Business Association. "Creative placemaking like this transforms our downtown into a welcoming, walkable destination where art, history, and community intersect." "This mural represents the first of many projects stemming from Fairfax City Economic Development's expanded focus on tourism," said Christopher Bruno, CEO and director of Fairfax City Economic Development. "Public art is more than just a creative feature; it's an investment that shapes how people experience Old Town and why they choose to visit, explore, and stay here." The project is a collaboration between FCED, the City of Fairfax Cultural Arts, and the Commission on the Arts and aligns with the city's broader placemaking and tourism goals. By investing in creative initiatives like Fox in the Flowers, Fairfax City invites residents and visitors alike to experience the area's growing arts scene and vibrant local culture. The public is encouraged to visit the new mural at 10407 Main Street and explore other art installations throughout Old Town Fairfax. For details on this and other public art projects in Fairfax City, visit About Fairfax City Economic Development Fairfax City Economic Development is a collaboration between the Fairfax City Economic Development Department and the Fairfax City Economic Development Authority, an independent agency administered by a commission appointed by the City Council to promote economic development activity within Fairfax. Fairfax City Economic Development helps attract businesses to the city, encourages and develops programs that foster connections between businesses, residents, and visitors of Fairfax City, and spearheads innovative programs and strategies devoted to positioning Fairfax City as an ideal location to start, grow, and scale a business. It is a founding member of the Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance. Learn more at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Fairfax City Economic Development
Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Business
- Boston Globe
Opening the door to buying a split-level home
This Wayland split-level is 3,046 square feet. Jon Chase/The Boston Globe Once commonly shunned by buyers, split-levels are no longer being written off. The architectural style sprang up across the United States during the baby boom following World War II. From the 1950s to roughly the early 1980s, it was a popular choice for builders, as they could maximize square footage on relatively small lots. Because of this, split-levels are practically ubiquitous in many suburbs, including those in Greater Boston. Yet they get a bad rap. Plenty of homebuyers associate split-levels with being unfashionably outdated — perhaps because in 1975, split-levels accounted for 12 percent of all new homes on the market, according to the National Association of Home Builders. 'In New England, they're tolerated but not beloved, in my experience,' said Kate Ziegler with Advertisement But that doesn't mean their minds can't be changed. Those clients Sullivan had been working with a few years ago? 'Sure enough, they bought a split-level,' said Sullivan, who works for Advertisement Similarly, Rahel Choi, a broker associate with In today's high-priced market, some shoppers are increasingly seeing split-levels as suitable, budget-friendly homes with the potential for customization. Plus, when inventory is light, buyers become less picky, Sullivan added. 'Most buyers aren't actively seeking out split-level homes as their first choice, but with affordability top of mind, especially for those priced out of other property types, they're starting to consider a wider range of options,' Choi said. 'Split-levels often offer more square footage at a better price point, and savvy buyers are realizing that with the right updates, the layout and finishes can really be tailored to fit their style.' Choi said that split-level homes that lean into their retro, mid-century pedigrees tend to drum up more interest, pointing to two split-levels that recently hit the market in the same week. 'The one with clear mid-century appeal received multiple offers and sold for about 14 percent over asking,' she said. 'The more traditional split-level? It only got one offer. Price definitely played a role, but the design and aesthetic clearly made a difference.' One of the biggest selling points for split-levels is their adaptability for multigenerational living. Brian Harvey, owner of Advertisement 'Split-level houses are abundant where we live. And they're great because it's essentially two houses: two ranch homes stacked on top of each other,' Harvey told the Even when the downstairs living area isn't slated to become an in-law apartment with a full bathroom and kitchenette, Sullivan said having the extra living space can be attractive to both remote workers and families with young kids. 'I definitely see people using lower-level rooms in the splits as offices or at-home gyms,' she said. 'And I also always encourage people who have kids to go for them, because those bonus rooms downstairs are great for playrooms. You can hide all the toys downstairs, whereas the open dining room and kitchen flow upstairs can be your more classy, elegant entertaining area.' Buyers may not be as quick to reject split-levels these days, but they still come with some legitimate drawbacks. The entryway, for one, is tight; it's often just a tiny landing that separates the two stairways. 'And when you walk in, there's no immediate coat closet. There's just limited space to put your belongings,' Sullivan said. Plus, having multiple sets of stairs can be tough for those who'd like to Even with their shortcomings, split-levels seem poised to shed their ugly-duckling reputation. What then will become the house style buyers shy away from most often? Victorians, Ziegler said. Advertisement 'They need too much upkeep, if not actual renovation,' she said. 'First-time buyers right now are very wary of Compared with homes built in the late 1800s and early 1900s, split-levels are quite contemporary. 'Exactly once I have had a client specify that they were interested in a split-level over other housing styles,' Ziegler said. 'But that preference had more to do with the age of the genre: 'newer' by our standards.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Clarion Partners Makes First Investment in Bozeman, Montana Market
Firm partners with Wentworth Property to develop new 162-unit multifamily complex in Opportunity Zone NEW YORK, NY / / June 23, 2025 / Clarion Partners, LLC, a leading real estate investment manager, is partnering with Wentworth Property Company to develop Highmark, a new 162-unit townhome and apartment community in Bozeman, MT. Located in a Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) on 8+ acres in the broader South University District master-planned neighborhood, Highmark is bringing high-quality rental housing options to one of the most rapidly growing micropolitan areas in the U.S. Leasing began in April 2025, and the project is scheduled for completion in late 2025. Inclusive of a broad range of unit styles, from single bedroom apartments to 3-story townhomes, the community, situated less than a half mile from the Montana State University campus and less than two miles from Downtown Bozeman, offers a variety of living accommodations for families and students alike. "Bozeman offers an unparalleled outdoor lifestyle as well as proximity to a growing education and technology employment base," said Clarion Partners Managing Director Jason Glasser. "The development of Highmark will add a variety of new housing options in a popular area where home prices have become increasingly unaffordable." Units feature 10-ft ceilings, modern kitchens with quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances, wood-vinyl flooring, ample storage, full size washing machines and dryers, and individual yards and balconies for the townhomes. Community amenities include a clubroom, fitness center, package locker room, outdoor gathering area, hot tub, dog park, pet spa, and over 300 parking spaces. Clarion is currently invested in 170 properties (nearly $8 billion in GRE) in areas designated as QOZsand ownsan additional 734 properties (over $38 billion in GRE) in submarkets neighboring U.S. QOZs. 1 Highmark, a new 162-unit townhome and apartment community in Bozeman, MT. Leasing began in April 2025; the project is scheduled for completion in late 2025. About Clarion Partners Clarion Partners, an SEC registered investment adviser with FCA-authorized and FINRA member affiliates, has been a leading U.S. real estate investment manager for more than 40 years. Headquartered in New York, the firm maintains strategically located offices across the United States and Europe. With over $73 billion in total real estate and debt assets under management, Clarion Partners offers a broad range of real estate strategies across the risk/return spectrum to 500 institutional investors across the globe. For more information visit 1 As of December 31, 2024 Contact DetailsChris Sullivan+1 917-902-0617chris@ Company Websitehttps:// SOURCE: Clarion Partners View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
