BETSY DEVOS/BUDGET/EDUCATION/TRUMP PEOPLE: “The Trump administration’s now-abandoned plan to eliminate $17.6 million in federal funding for the Special Olympics is looking like a boon for the nonprofit. Rather than cutting off the Special Olympics from all federal money, lawmakers are weighing a possible increase for the fifth year in a row as high-profile advocates rally behind the organization and its programs in thousands of schools. The social media outcry over the threat to its funding stream is boosting the Special Olympics’ message — and private donations are expected to surge. It also shows the political risk for the Trump administration when it targets an educational program beloved by Democrats and Republicans alike…President Donald Trump last week backpedaled on his proposal to eliminate funding for the program after two days of intense criticism on social media. The uproar followed Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ defense of the proposed cut in a House hearing amid strong objections from Democrats.”
–Nicole Gaudiano, “Trump budget cut turns out to be a godsend for the Special Olympics,” Politico, April 1, 2019 2:50 pm