Last Updated on June 11, 2025 by Bertrand Clarke
In the heart of Kansas, Topeka’s city leaders are grappling with a high-stakes decision that could reshape the city’s future. At the center of the debate is a potential $45 million in federal funding, critical for addressing pressing community needs like affordable housing, homelessness, domestic violence services, and infrastructure upgrades. The catch? To secure these funds, the city may need to overhaul its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, particularly its affirmative action programs, in response to shifting federal guidelines. This unfolding story highlights a broader national conversation about balancing local values with the practical realities of federal compliance.
A City at a Crossroads
On June 10, 2025, Topeka’s Policy and Finance Committee convened to discuss proposed changes to the city’s DEI framework. The committee voted to recommend amendments that would eliminate affirmative action programs, a move aimed at aligning with federal regulations to preserve the $45 million in funding. The decision follows a unanimous vote by the Topeka City Council on May 6 to defer the issue for further review, reflecting the complexity and sensitivity of the matter.
The federal funding at stake is tied to programs administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and other agencies. These grants support initiatives like the Topeka Housing Authority’s efforts to provide affordable rentals and the city’s domestic violence prevention programs, which served over 1,200 survivors in 2024 alone, according to local nonprofit reports. Infrastructure projects, including road repairs and public transit upgrades, also rely heavily on these funds, with Topeka allocating $12.3 million in federal grants to such efforts in the past fiscal year.
City Attorney Amanda Stanley, who briefed the committee, explained that the proposed changes address concerns raised by council members about the original language of the DEI policy overhaul. “We’ve refined the proposal to ensure compliance while maintaining the city’s commitment to fairness,” Stanley said. However, the revisions have ignited a firestorm of debate among residents, activists, and business leaders, who see the issue as a litmus test for Topeka’s values.
The DEI Debate: A National Context
Topeka’s dilemma reflects a growing trend across the United States, where cities and states are reassessing DEI policies amid evolving federal and legal scrutiny. In 2023, the Supreme Court’s ruling against race-based affirmative action in higher education set a precedent that has trickled down to public sector hiring and contracting practices. The Biden administration’s 2021 executive order promoting DEI in federal programs has been met with pushback from conservative lawmakers, who argue that such policies can lead to reverse discrimination.
In Kansas, Governor Laura Kelly’s administration has emphasized equitable economic development, but recent legislative sessions have seen Republican-led efforts to curb DEI initiatives. A 2024 state bill aimed at limiting DEI training in public institutions stalled in committee, but the sentiment persists in Topeka’s current deliberations. Nationally, cities like Austin, Texas, and Raleigh, North Carolina, have faced similar pressures to revise DEI policies to maintain federal funding, with mixed outcomes.
According to a 2025 report by the Urban Institute, 68% of U.S. municipalities with populations over 50,000 rely on federal grants for at least 15% of their budgets. For Topeka, with a population of approximately 126,000, the $45 million represents roughly 10% of its annual operating budget, underscoring the financial stakes.
Voices from the Community
The proposed changes have sparked passionate responses from Topeka residents. At a public forum held on June 9, organized by the Topeka NAACP, over 200 attendees voiced concerns about the potential rollback of affirmative action. “These programs have been vital for leveling the playing field,” said Maria Johnson, a local business owner and NAACP member. “Removing them could set us back decades in terms of economic opportunity for marginalized groups.”
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau supports Johnson’s perspective. In Topeka, Black and Hispanic residents make up 13.4% and 15.7% of the population, respectively, but hold only 8% of managerial positions in the city’s workforce. Affirmative action policies, implemented in the 1980s, have helped narrow this gap, though disparities remain.
Conversely, some residents argue that scrapping affirmative action aligns with principles of meritocracy. “We should hire and promote based on qualifications, not quotas,” said Tom Reynolds, a retired Topeka schoolteacher, at the same forum. Reynolds echoed sentiments found in recent posts on X, where users debated the fairness of DEI policies, with some calling for a “colorblind” approach to governance.
Local businesses, too, are weighing in. The Topeka Chamber of Commerce, representing 1,100 businesses, issued a statement on June 10 urging the city to “prioritize economic stability” by securing the federal funds. “The loss of $45 million would be devastating for small businesses relying on city contracts and infrastructure improvements,” said Chamber President Curtis Sneden.
Economic and Social Implications
The potential loss of federal funding could have far-reaching consequences. Topeka’s affordable housing crisis, exacerbated by a 7% rise in median rent since 2022, depends on HUD grants to subsidize low-income housing. In 2024, the city housed 3,500 families through these programs, but waitlists remain long, with over 1,000 households still seeking assistance.
Homelessness, another critical issue, has risen by 12% in Shawnee County since 2023, according to the Topeka Rescue Mission. Federal funds support shelters and outreach programs that served 2,800 individuals last year. Without this money, service providers warn of increased strain on already stretched resources.
Infrastructure is equally at risk. Topeka’s 2025 budget allocated $18 million for road repairs, with 65% coming from federal sources. Losing these funds could delay projects like the reconstruction of SW 29th Street, a major commercial corridor, impacting local businesses and traffic flow.
On the social front, the debate has exposed tensions within the community. A June 2025 poll by Washburn University found that 52% of Topekans support maintaining DEI policies, while 41% favor prioritizing federal compliance. The divide is stark along racial and political lines, with 78% of Black residents and 64% of Democrats backing DEI, compared to 29% of white residents and 22% of Republicans.
Looking Ahead
The Topeka City Council is set to vote on the committee’s recommendations on June 17, 2025. If approved, the amended DEI policies would take effect immediately, ensuring the city meets federal requirements to secure the $45 million. However, activists on both sides are mobilizing, with planned rallies outside City Hall on the day of the vote.
Mayor Michael Padilla, who has remained neutral, faces pressure to bridge the divide. “Our goal is to serve all Topekans while keeping the city financially sound,” he said in a June 11 statement. Padilla’s office has scheduled additional public hearings for June 14 to gather more input.
For now, Topeka stands at a crossroads, weighing the tangible benefits of federal funding against the intangible but deeply felt values of equity and inclusion. As the debate unfolds, the city’s decision will likely resonate beyond its borders, offering a case study in how communities navigate the intersection of policy, politics, and principle in 2025 America.
