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Good afternoon,
As you may have heard, the billionaire bromance between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk is in turmoil after discussions around the big, ugly Republican bill advancing didn't go the President's way. One strike and now Musk is on the burn list. Following the conversation, the president took to his favorite platform, Truth Social, to threaten to cut off federal funding and contracts to Musk's companies. Over the weekend, the president continued to threaten Musk saying he will face "very serious consequences" if he backs Democratic candidates to block the GOP's massive budget bill from passing. It's unsurprising that their split from working with one another is hitting some bumps in the road. Trump and Musk are putting MAGA Republican dysfunction on full display for all of America to see. You just can't make some of this stuff up!
Here are a few important updates...
SCREWING OVER STUDENTS IN RURAL AMERICA
Recently, the Trump administration released their budget summary which clearly screws over American students, especially those living in rural parts of the country. The Century Foundation reports "the proposed $12 billion cut in education spending strips resources from the very students and communities that can least afford to lose them and that have the fewest funding alternatives." Like many of the administration's other funding slashes, these cuts do not target waste. Instead, they are malicious and target groups that actually benefit from the funding. Another concerning piece of the Trump administration's proposal is the consolidation of eighteen vital K-12 programs into one "Simplified Funding Program" (SFP) – a block grant to states that would bunch discretionary grant programs and formula funding together and deliver less money and fewer guardrails to prevent abuse of funds. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, "relying on block grants for federal funding leads to significant reductions in overall funding levels, exacerbating existing strains on local budgets." Additionally, school choice programs like the Magnet Schools Assistance Program would be consolidated with formula grants like Rural Education and McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance, putting the burden of supporting these students on the states.
The Rural Education program serves as a major lifeline to nearly 10 million people. If this outrageous proposal is approved, rural schools and rural students will be left hanging. The administration's proposal further demonstrates that rural America is not a top priority. Time and time again, the Trump administration has declared that it supports rural America and is taking action to address the issues this part of America is facing. Yet all they are doing is tearing rural America down, bringing the rest of the American people with it...except the billionaires, of course. Students in rural America deserve more. They deserve to have access to quality educational opportunities and the chance at a brighter, more prosperous future. We cannot let President Trump continue to bulldoze the issues, programs, people, and more that matter to our country.
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Each week, this newsletter highlights what's going on in rural states, counties, and communities, and what One Country Project is up to around the country. If you value this content, please consider donating to One Country Project. Your contribution supports our efforts to connect with rural voters and to promote greater opportunities for rural communities.
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN RURAL MENTAL HEALTH
On a more positive note, we wanted to highlight an impactful partnership between two nonprofits, La Maida Project and Save the Children, to bring a new training network to rural communities to support children and early-childhood educators. La Maida Project focuses on addressing the mental health crisis by empowering organizations to adopt an ecological approach to healing while Save the Children strives to raise money in an effort to end children's suffering. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's Health Resources and Services Administration, roughly 70% of the mental health professional shortage areas are located in either rural or partially rural communities. Additionally, as many as 65% of nonmetropolitan counties lack psychiatrists according to research. By collaborating and combining their missions, these nonprofits are equipping mental health professionals to take care of themselves so they can better care for and help others. The Managing Director for Save the Children's Career and Education Workforce Development team says "the program will also help address early education workforce issues in rural communities."
This program is privately funded and therefore will not be impacted by any changes caused by the current administration. However, it's worth noting that the rural mental health crisis continues to plague communities. More can be done in rural communities to address this crisis and break the stigma around mental health, which is very present in rural communities for a number of reasons. By sharing the positive story of La Maida Project and Save the Children's combined effort, Once Country Project hopes to raise awareness about this critical issue and empower others to take additional steps to address it.
INDEFENSIBLE FIRINGS AT THE CDC
In his Wall Street Journal op-ed, HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy, Jr. defended the firing of members of the CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee due to conflicts of interest. Interesting coming from this Administration.
The unceremonious firing of these dedicated public health and health care professionals does very little to "restore public trust in vaccines" and more to remove decades of expertise that providers and the public have relied on. Not to mention going back on assurances made to Members of Congress during his confirmation process to trust science and experts regarding vaccines and not revert to his penchant for conspiracy theories. Just another promise broken by the Trump Administration to the American people to keep us safe and healthy.
2025 RURAL PROGRESS SUMMIT
This summer, you can join One Country Project board members, influential speakers, policy experts, national leaders, and rural advocates for the fourth annual Rural Progress Summit July 8th - 10th. The keynote conversation will feature Sec. Pete Buttigieg in a virtual fireside chat with Sen. Heitkamp. As a former Transportation Secretary and small city mayor, Pete Buttigieg has the ability to speak knowledgeably and clearly about the biggest issues facing our country. The Rural Progress Summit explores ideas and policies that will shape the future of rural America.
Details:
What: One Country Project Rural Progress Summit
When: Tuesday, July 8th – Thursday, July 10th, 2025
Where: Online, hosted on Zoom
Register now!
NUMBER OF THE WEEK
27.7%: According to a recent report from the Federal Communications Commission, this is the percent of Americans on Tribal lands who lack broadband internet coverage, compared to only 1.5% of Americans in urban areas. As a result of these disparities in broadband, economic development, education, healthcare, and in Tribal communities are negatively impacted.
- Wednesday, June 11th – Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies - Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2026 for the Forest Service.
- Wednesday, June 11th – House Committee on Appropriations – Markup of fiscal year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and related agencies bills.
- Thursday, June 12th – Senate Judiciary Committee - Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2026 for the Department of the Treasury.
- Thursday, June 12th – Senate Finance Committee - Hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2026 for the Department of Treasury and tax reform.
WHAT WE'RE READING
Be sure to follow the One Country Project on Bluesky, Twitter, Facebook and Substack, and listen to The Hot Dish podcast.
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