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As the president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), Im spending a good amount of time working to build strategic, government alliances that extend beyond our traditional Democratic support. If youre wondering why, all you need to do is look at a map of where Americas Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are located.

The fact of the matter is that a majority of TMCFs 47 member-schools are clustered in southern and midwestern states completely controlled by Republicans. By that, I mean states where the governor, both U.S. senators, both chambers of the legislature and most of the U.S. House members are Republican.

The next largest group of our member-schools occupies states that are under at least a majority of GOP control. Only a small number of our member-schools three to be exact are in states and the District of Columbia that are completely controlled by Democrats.

If those statistics dont jump out at you, maybe these facts will. Many of our institutions of higher learning are in desperate need of not just operating dollars, but serious capital infusions to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars.

Earlier this year, for instance, Grambling State University President Rick Gallot announced that his school will need to abandon the campus library an unprecedented decision for a university seeking to expand its national imprint in research and training for its students. Gallots announcement came almost exactly one year after Louisianas state auditor reported nearly $111 million in deferred maintenance at another Louisiana public HBCU campus, Southern University in Baton Rouge.

The people who currently hold the purse strings both nationally and on a state level are, in most cases, Republicans. Yet, some will still suggest that we not even talk to those elected leaders, because of their party affiliation.

When the media released photos of our meeting at the White House with President Trump, some derided it as just a photo-op. Tell that to the administrators who were wondering how theyd possibly fill the gap in funding should their already strained budgets face sudden, drastic cuts.

Were simply not able to pick and choose whom we engage with. We saw firsthand a couple months ago how positive strategic engagement paid off when I worked with our member-school presidents and chancellors to ensure that their federal budget dollars would not be cut in President Trumps first budget proposal.

Working with the White House, through open communication and lots of effort, HBCU leaders and I were able to deliver flat funding for HBCUs in the upcoming fiscal year budget. Flat funding is a big win, considering President Trump proposed a 13.9 percent overall funding decrease in federal education dollars this year.

But thats not the end of it. With so many capital needs, we must ensure Washington doesnt cut the vital capital financing program that provides about $20 million a year to support more than $280 million in capital financing for our schools.

The need to work across the aisle extends beyond just elected officials. In January, TMCF announced a $25.6 million gift from the Charles Koch Foundation and Koch Industries. This generous gift was a direct result of proactive outreach I initiated with Mr. Koch, a man often associated with support of conservative and libertarian causes. What I found by having a dialogue with him is that we share a deep concern about the impact of over-incarceration and lack of educational opportunities that disproportionately impact fragile communities. Together in January, we launched a new, HBCU-based research institution, known as the Center for Advancing Opportunity, that is studying barriers to opportunity in those communities.

In reaching across the aisle, we should never forsake our historic alliances. But for the sake of the young people our HBCUs seek to educate, we must also realize the need to grow new and different alliances.

Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. is the president and CEO of Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), the largest organization exclusively representing the Black college community. Prior to joining TMCF, he spent many years as a successful corporate executive and attorney. Follow him on Twitter at @JohnnyCTaylorJr.

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HBCU leaders must engage Democrats and Republicans - The Philadelphia Tribune

New York Times

Governor Struggles to Lead as Texas Republicans Splinter Into Factions New York Times By almost any measure, Mr. Abbott, 59, has been a staunchly conservative voice in Texas politics. But now he is struggling to steer the state through one of its most tumultuous political moments in decades, as Republican factions engage in open warfare. and more »

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Governor Struggles to Lead as Texas Republicans Splinter Into Factions - New York Times

There's a belief prevalent among Republicans that no matter how bad President Trump's antics become, flyover country voters won't mind. A new story by the Kansas City Star adds fuel to that fable, reporting conversations with half-a-dozen outside-the-Beltway voters who could care less about Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey.

And while it's true that the president's most diehard supporters will take his word over his critics, that shouldn't offer Republicans much electoral comfort. Anyone who doubts that must explain the last presidential election and the last 25 years of politics.

Not long ago, the Democrat faithful were playing a constant game of whack-a-mole with Hillary Clinton controversies. They didn't care about the private email server, shady Clinton Foundation donors, or the Benghazi attacks. Each was blindly dismissed and they did much to curb the enthusiasm of the overwhelming 84 percent of liberals who backed Clinton.

But it didn't matter. Clinton lost.

Of course keeping the support of a party's base is important, but it's not everything. The last three presidents each enjoyed overwhelming support of their party before losing control of Congress. Consider Obama, whose 80 percent approval rating among Democrats couldn't save him from midterm shellackings in 2010 and 2014.

When Comey testifies in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday, Republicans will be tempted to run to the welcoming arms of the base. That's both understandable and delusional. Trump's supporters might dismiss controversy as unfounded, like Clinton's fan did before, but the White House cannot.

Whether or not the Russia hysteria has merit, Trump's presidency is undeniably suffering as a result. Six months in, Republicans don't have a single significant legislative victory to their name. Obamacare repeal and tax reform have taken a back seat as Trump screeches about unfair "witch-hunts."

As that hysteria unfolds, lawmakers are becoming increasingly nervous as the midterm elections approach. There's a legitimate fear that Republicans will have little to run on, except promises. If recent history is a guide, Trump could face the electoral rebukes both his Democrat and Republican predecessors experienced. If Republicans lose Congress, they'll find little comfort in the continued support of Trump's base.

Philip Wegmann is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.

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Ahead of Comey testimony, Republicans shouldn't take too much stock in the support of Trump's base - Washington Examiner

Since 1965, Medicaid has stood the test of time as the nations principal public health insurance program for the low-income population. Since its inception, the program has ballooned primarily through a series of program expansions in the 1980s and again after the enactment of the Affordable Care Act in 2010 so that today the program accounts for nearly 20 percent of State budgets and covers more than 1 in 5 Americans. While Medicare has implemented program reforms (payment reforms such as the inpatient and outpatient prospective payment systems; Medicare Advantage; Medicare Part D; delivery system reform through the Innovation Center), Medicaid has been slower to innovate. However, innovation does not need to come at the expense of coverage for millions of Americans, nor should it. Instead, as thoughtful Republicans rightfully think through ways in which to bring the Medicaid programs into the 21st century, a little out-of-the-box thinking may be the cure.

Under current practice, Federal funding for the state-administered Medicaid program is generally reserved for traditional health care services. So while Medicaid will gladly pay tens of thousands of dollars for an eligible childs admission to the hospital for an asthma attack, Medicaid will not pay the $100 needed for a portable air conditioner so that the parents of that child can leave the window closed at night in the summertime (thereby preventing that asthma attack.) Both of these services the hospital admission and the air conditioner provide clear benefits for the well-being of this child. Yet, one costs thousands and is readily covered, while the other saves thousands and is not covered by the program.

As Medicaid moves into the 21st century, we need rethink what is health care, particularly for those most in need. If paying for a driver to take a special needs individual to a job keeps that individual healthier (both physically and mentally), who is to say that this is not a health care service? If a young mother would benefit from a voluntary home visiting program to receive guidance to help them become a better parent, does this not improve the well-being of both the child and the mother?

The good news is that this idea is catching on. A recent amendment to Medicaids managed care rules permits a state to adopt and even direct payment models intended to recognize value or outcomes over volume of services. And states across the country are piloting pay for success models, wherein private sector funding steps in to pay for interventions designed to improve lives and save money, offering these investors a return on their investment. But government intervention (or at least clarity) is needed here. As Republicans begin to rethink the Medicaid program, they should also rethink what is health care and clarify that Federal dollars are available for evidence-based practices which promote the well-being of the individual and long-term cost savings.

Ruth Ann Norton serves as President & CEO of the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI), a national nonprofit founded in 1986 dedicated to the elimination of childhood lead poisoning and the creation of healthy, safe and energy efficient housing for Americas children.

Ross Margulies is an attorney at Foley Hoag LLP where he advises a wide range of health care clients on regulatory and administrative processes and reimbursement matters.

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As Republicans Rethink Medicaid, Rethink What Is 'Health Care' - HuffPost

Perhaps no great surprise here: The number of Fairfax residents voting absentee in the Democratic statewide primary is outpacing those in the Republican, according to county election officials.

As of June 1, a total of 1,348 Democratic ballots have been cast in Fairfax County, compared to 514 Republican, county elections officials said.

Virginians will go to the polls on June 13 to select both the Democratic and Republican nominees for governor and lieutenant governor. (Incumbent Attorney General Mark Herring, a Democrat, is seeking re-election and does not have intra-party opposition; Republican John Adams was unopposed for the GOP nomination.)

The Democratic primary ballot will feature Tom Perriello and Ralph Northam for governor and Justin Fairfax, Gene Rossi and Susan Platt for lieutenant governor. The Republican ballot will feature Ed Gillespie, Corey Stewart and Frank Wagner for governor and Bryce Reeves, Glenn Davis Jr. and Jill Vogel for lieutenant governor. The winners move on to the Nov. 7 general election.

Under Virginia law, voters do not register by political party, so any registered voter can cast a ballot in the Democratic or Republican primary, but not both. Voters will cast ballots at their regular polling places; for those who qualify, in-person absentee voting will take place through June 10, while mail-in absentee voting also is available.

(For complete information, see the Web site at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/. Information is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Korean.)

Some localities across Virginia also will see primaries for House of Delegates seats, but there are no intra-party challenges in the Sun Gazette coverage area.

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In Fairfax, Democrats outpace Republicans in absentee voting - Inside NoVA