Republican “states’s rights” … (this was on at 4PM yesterday, still awaiting a vote, but the story wasn’t on the site to grab a post until this morning, but including the final vote. If you prefer video, the newscast video is right there when you click through.) Meanwhile, it’d be a sound scheme to check in on what your own cities are doing, and weigh in with the governing bodies, because this not only in blue big cities, but everywhere.

Wichita City Council votes to suspend DEI policies to protect $100M in federal funding

• Lily O’Brien Jul 15, 2025 Updated 13 hrs ago

WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) – The Wichita City Council voted in favor of compliance with the White House after realizing a risk they estimate could leave the city without $100 million in federal funding.

It’s a debate facing city governments across the nation: eliminate some diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, or risk federal grant money.

“There’s a lot of grants that we get from the federal government that are very important to the citizens in Wichita,” said Vice Mayor J.V. Johnston.

Tuesday’s resolution on the matter moved to authorize the Wichita City Manager to ensure compliance with federal grant requirements.

“What this resolution allows us to do is temporarily suspend enforcement of ordinances when they’re deemed in being in conflict with the federal requirements,” said Robert Layton, Wichita’s city manager.  (Emphasis mine- A.)

The motion comes with the Trump Administration’s push against so-called DEI programming. 

Councilmember Brandon Johnson began a statement with the definition of fascism, criticizing the federal government and citing constitutional concerns. 

“Without elaborating, whether you agree with my inference or not, you undoubtedly know exactly what and whom I’m referring to. That alone speaks volumes,” said Johnson.

Johnson later adds that the nation, founded with checks and balances, is seeing that fabric stretched. 

“The executive branch of the United States government continues to push the boundaries of settled law and the Constitution, infringing upon our God given rights simply because the current occupant disagrees,” said Johnson. 

Cities, like Wichita, are also asked to cooperate with immigration enforcement and certify that they do not maintain non-compliant DEI programs.

It was estimated that $100 million in federal grant money was in jeopardy depending on the vote result. 

Councilmember Dalton Glasscock clarified the risk, asking what it would mean for the Wichita community to go without that federal funding. 

“We’ve got $100 million at risk. If Wichita doesn’t have $100 million, we’re going to have a lot of holes in what we provide all the way from transportation to housing to roads,” said Johnston.

Faced with that decision, the City Council voted 4-3 to approve the resolution. 

Alongside the vote came a pause of Wichita’s advisory board on diversity, inclusion, and civil rights. 

“It’s important we don’t lose that perspective on the Council, because we can’t personally represent every demographic in Wichita, and they help us to hear from more folks in our city,” said Councilmember Maggie Ballard. (Emphases mine- A.)

Grant recipients across the country are having to certify they are in compliance with the administration’s interpretation of federal anti-discrimination laws.

If the city didn’t comply, it wouldn’t get the money for critical services to Wichita, including police, fire, transit and housing.