Todd Spangler Detroit Free Press Published 12:38 PM EDT Apr 9, 2019 WASHINGTON — Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on Wednesday faces more questions from Democrats in Congress, two weeks after she was sharply criticized for plans to cut $18-million from Special Olympics. Facing widespread condemnation for the proposal, President Donald Trump and DeVos, a wealthy former school-choice advocate in Michigan, abruptly backed off that budget demand. But members of the House Education and Labor Committee say they still have a lot to ask her about in terms of her department's plans. According to the committee, Chairman Bobby Scott, D-Va., and members expect to question DeVos on a range of topics. Federal tax credits for giving to private schools DeVos is likely to be questioned on proposals for a federal tax credit for any money businesses or individuals donate for scholarships to religious or private schools in states that have their own tax-credit for … [Read more...] about Betsy Devos hearing: House Democrats to ask tough education questions
Political questions to ask
CNN Chief Jeff Zucker: ‘Political Motivation’ to Stop AT&T-Time Warner Merger ‘Came From the President’
CNN head Jeff Zucker said in an interview at SXSW he thinks Justice Department attempts to stop the merger between AT&T and Time Warner were politically motivated. The $85 billion merger between AT&T and Time Warner, CNN’s parent company, was challenged in court by the Justice Department last year but ultimately a federal judge shot down those attempts and the deal was finalized. This week, Jane Mayer‘s New Yorker investigation into Fox News reported that President Donald Trump asked his former chief economics adviser Gary Cohn to direct the Justice Department to block the deal in order to punish CNN. Zucker addressed the New Yorker‘s reporting on the DOJ’s move in an interview at South By Southwest in Austin, Texas. “It came from the president,” Zucker said, according to Deadline. “There was absolutely no basis to be doing what they were doing and clearly there was a political agenda at work.” “Do I think that there was … [Read more...] about CNN Chief Jeff Zucker: ‘Political Motivation’ to Stop AT&T-Time Warner Merger ‘Came From the President’
Charles Barkley’s advice to Jussie Smollett: ‘If you’re going to break the law, do not write a check’
Timothy Bella, The Washington Post Published 5:30 am PST, Friday, February 22, 2019 FILE - In this May 2, 2015, file photo, Charles Barkley joins the crowd before the start of the world welterweight championship bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas. A chance meeting in a hotel lobby sparked an unlikely friendship between former NBA star Charles Barkley and a cat litter scientist in Iowa. The story has been shared widely since it was told last week by the scientist's daughter on "Only A Game," an NPR sports show produced by Boston-based WBUR. Shirley Wang says that her father, Lin Wang, approached Barkley at a hotel while on a business trip. The two began talking, got dinner and exchanged numbers. They would meet up over the years to watch basketball games or hang out on the set of Barkley's show. When Lin Wang died this year, Barkley showed up at his funeral in Iowa to the surprise of other attendees. (AP Photo/John Locher, File) less FILE - … [Read more...] about Charles Barkley’s advice to Jussie Smollett: ‘If you’re going to break the law, do not write a check’
Emails show California agency’s cozy ties to gas tax backers
Sophia Bollag, Associated Press Updated 12:49 am CDT, Tuesday, October 16, 2018 FILE - In this Oct. 30, 2017, file photo, Cristian Rodriguez fuels his vehicle in Sacramento, Calif. As the political battle to overturn the gas tax increase intensified, the state transportation agency coordinated frequently with the public relations firm working to block the repeal on behalf of unions, construction companies and local governments, emails obtained by The Associated Press show. less FILE - In this Oct. 30, 2017, file photo, Cristian Rodriguez fuels his vehicle in Sacramento, Calif. As the political battle to overturn the gas tax increase intensified, the state transportation agency ... more Photo: Rich Pedroncelli, AP FILE - In this June 18, 2018, file photo, Republican gubernatorial candidate John Cox, center, blasts a recent gas tax increase during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif. Cox, chairman of a … [Read more...] about Emails show California agency’s cozy ties to gas tax backers
Lack of political fortitude to save taxpayers money is troubling
Express-News Editorial Board Published 12:00 am CDT, Sunday, October 14, 2018 The Bexar County Comissioner’s Court (seen in July) let taxpayers down by refusing to cut budgeting to constables and other outdated posts. The Bexar County Comissioner’s Court (seen in July) let taxpayers down by refusing to cut budgeting to constables and other outdated posts. Photo: Ronald Cortes / Contributor Photo: Ronald Cortes / Contributor Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Image 1 of 1 The Bexar County Comissioner’s Court (seen in July) let taxpayers down by refusing to cut budgeting to constables and other outdated posts. The Bexar County Comissioner’s Court (seen in July) let taxpayers down by refusing to cut budgeting to constables and other outdated posts. … [Read more...] about Lack of political fortitude to save taxpayers money is troubling