DOGE claims NIH cuts will save $4B. Stanford says it’ll gut its ability to do research
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STANFORD SUSPENDS HIRING, CITING PROPOSED DOGE-DRIVEN NIH CUTS
Stanford University will not hire new staff while federal courts decide whether the National Institutes of Health can move forward with dramatically cutting the amount of money it pays universities to fund scientific research. The cuts are the subject of a lawsuit California Attorney General Rob Bonta and 22 other states filed earlier this month.
The NIH announced earlier this month that it would immediately cap “indirect costs” associated with research grants at 15%, claiming the effort would save $4 billion by reducing the amount of administrative overhead paid out to schools such as Stanford, Yale and Harvard.
The NIH is one of dozens of agencies that Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency advisers have targeted for big budget cuts across the federal workforce.
In a letter published Wednesday, university president Jonathan Levin and provost Jenny Martinez said Stanford would freeze staff hiring “to limit spending and ensure that we have flexibility and resilience.” It does not apply to faculty, contingent workers or student workers. It’s unclear how long the freeze will be in effect.
DOGE adviser Katie Miller, who is married to White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, said the reduction was to do away with “Liberal DEI Deans’ slush fund.”
Combined with a congressional proposal to increase the university endowment tax rate, the cuts would have a “significant negative budget impact” on Stanford’s finances, Levin and Martinez said.
“In particular, the endowment supports roughly two-thirds of the budget for undergraduate and graduate financial aid, as well as a significant portion of faculty salaries, research, and key programs like libraries and student services,” they wrote. “Taken together, these are very significant risks to the university.”
PADILLA PROTESTS TRUMP’S EDUCATION SECRETARY PICK
Via David Lightman...
Sen. Alex Padilla had a different look Thursday when he spoke on the U.S. Senate floor. He was using that look to make a point about Linda McMahon, President Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of Education.
Padilla, D-Calif., was wearing a black shirt over his regular shirt and tie that said “Tigers” across the chest. That’s the nickname of his alma mater, San Fernando High School.
“I’m a proud product of public education, a graduate of high school–go Tigers–and upon completion of my high school education, I was accepted, had the blessed opportunity to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where I earned my degree in mechanical engineering.”
That education, he said, “led to a better life and more opportunities, exactly what my parents worked so hard and sacrificed for.”
His ultimate point: “That’s the American dream, and I know that by far I’m not alone. That’s why I find it outrageous that Mrs. McMahon and Republicans can so callously plan to take a chainsaw to the American dreams of so many current and future students.”
McMahon is the former chief executive officer of World Wrestling Entertainment. Trump wants to eliminate the department and dramatically cut federal funding.
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said McMahon’s business acumen is badly needed.
“For the last four years, the Department focused on everything but student learning. Its bureaucracy and red tape stand in the way of student success,” he said.
The Senate agreed to limit debate on the nomination Friday on a party line 51 to 47 vote. A final vote on McMahon is expected Monday night.
STATE BAR NEEDS TO SPEED UP DISCIPLINARY CASES, AUDIT FINDS
Via William Melhado...
The California State Bar has a growing backlog of disciplinary cases investigating California-licensed attorneys, according to a new report from the State Auditor.
Auditors found that nearly 36% of the total pending disciplinary cases were backlogged at the end of 2023, which indicated that the State Bar has been unable to meet the case processing standards that the licensing authority proposed.
“Further, the State Bar has yet to formally adopt these standards as benchmarks against which to measure its progress in shortening timelines and reducing its backlog of open cases,” wrote State Auditor Grant Parks. Parks noted that a diversion program helped close disciplinary cases faster.
Additional findings from the audit indicated that the State Bar’s expenses have exceeded revenue in four out of the last five years. The deficit is likely to be reduced by new fees the Legislature approved in 2025: an $88 increase for active attorneys and a $22.60 increase for inactive attorneys.
The State Bar is hoping to minimize costs through two mechanisms: Lowering administrative costs of the California Bar Examination and a reduction in force. Auditors found that the impact of these cost-saving measures remains unclear.
The legal regulatory agency agreed with all the recommendations outlined in the audit.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“President Trump has said publicly that he wishes that Mrs. McMahon would, quote, put herself out of a job, and it’s clear she’s ready to do it.”
—U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla on Linda McMahon, Trump’s pick for Secretary of Education
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