On April 3 the Chagrin Gateway Dems were treated to an evening that was at once both inspiring and thought-provoking. Three engaging speakers enlightened us about the true cost of the changes in education funding and policy.
Why it Matters: The Defunding of the Financial Police
Why it Matters: The Defunding of the Financial Police
Why it Matters: The Defunding of the Financial Police
The Trump administration has defunded the police, the financial police that is.
A regular feature to the Chagrin Gateway Democrats from Lyn Newman
Here is what happened: On February 1, President Trump fired Rohit Chopra, the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). A week later, on February 8, Russel Vought, the new Director of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Acting CFPB director, ordered the CFPB to stop all its work and announced that it would not be drawing its next round of funding. The CFPB’s headquarters were closed for a week and Elon Musk posted “CFPB RIP” on X.
Here is why it matters: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was created in 2010 after the 2008 subprime mortgage-lending scandal and subsequent financial crisis. It was designed to protect consumers by following up on complaints, creating rules that curbed junk fees and predatory lending practices and suing companies that mislead consumers and employees. Since then, it has recovered billions of dollars for consumers and changed rules to give people more control over their data—allowing them to more easily switch banks. It has capped overdraft fees and fined institutions for discrimination. It has also barred medical debt from affecting credit scores. There are already bills in the House (HJ 59) and Senate (SJ 18) to overturn the new rules that cap overdraft fees at $5. The good work of the CFPB is on the chopping block and so is any financial oversight. This is coming at a time when Elon Musk wants to create a new digital payment tool. Coincidence? I think not?
What can we do about it?: We can start by making sure people know that this is happening. Trump campaigned on lowering credit card interest rates, but just gutted the agency that might have made that happen. Talk to your friends about this. You can learn more about it on the CFPB website or listen to Elizabeth Warren’s very entertaining YouTube videos on the subject.
Lyn Newman can be found on Bluesky
In the News
April 2025 Meeting Recap
Why It Matters: Do Elections Matter?
On April 1, 2025 Susan Crawford won her seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court despite Elon Musk having spent millions of dollars and making personal visits to Wisconsin trying to defeat her. She not only won, she won by a 10 percent margin.
Why it Matters: Promises Made, Promises Kept—But to Whom?
Candidate Trump told us “I have nothing to do with Project 2025” and he would be bringing down grocery prices on day one. President Trump has put a laser focus on the priorities of Project 2025 and grocery prices have soared.
Chagrin Falls and Orange Schools are among the nation’s best. Apparently that doesn’t sit well with GOP members of the Ohio Legislature hoping to strip away valuable funding and dump a greater burden on local taxpayers. Tell our elected officials to fully fund public education and stop playing games with our excellent schools Ohio is trying to defund public schools.
On Friday, February 28, people across the country are coming together for a one-day economic boycott to send a clear message: we will not support companies that fund extremist policies, attack our rights, or undermine democracy. This grassroots movement harnesses the power of collective action, reminding corporations and policymakers that everyday Americans drive the economy—and we expect them to stand for fairness, justice, and accountability. By refusing to spend money for just one day, we highlight the economic influence of millions who demand ethical business practices and responsible governance.
