Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Jake Johnson @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social · 2h

Congress should be fully funding IDEA, not tearing down the systems that make it work.

That’s how we lift up every child, by keeping our promises and giving our schools the resources to help every student thrive.

1

Jake Johnson @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social · 2h

The Department of Education is already the smallest cabinet agency in government.

Programs like IDEA are proof that it plays a vital role, making sure kids with disabilities in every community, no matter their ZIP code, get a fair shot.

1

Jake Johnson @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social · 2h

It’s important not to lose sight of the bigger picture here either.

These cuts are part of a broader effort to dismantle the Department of Education altogether, an effort supported by Congressman Brad Finstad — a founding member of the DOGE Caucus.

1

Jake Johnson @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social · 2h

In southern Minnesota, that would blow a hole in local school budgets.

Districts would have to pull from general education funds just to meet federal mandates, meaning fewer resources for all students, larger class sizes, and tougher choices for already stretched schools.

1

Jake Johnson @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social · 2h

So when the White House fires the people who oversee and distribute IDEA funding, that’s adding insult to injury.

It means states won’t get their funding on time. It means local schools will be left scrambling to pay for legally required services with no federal backup.

1

Jake Johnson @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social · 2h

The federal government promised to cover 40% of the cost of special education when IDEA was passed in 1975.

It’s never come close. In fact, it usually funds less than half that. The rest gets passed on to local school districts and property taxpayers.

1

Jake Johnson @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social · 2h

IDEA helps schools pay for the staff, technology, and individualized support that make education possible for millions of students. Things like speech therapy, interpreters, and adaptive materials.

Without that support, kids get left behind.

1

Jake Johnson @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social · 2h

Today, the Dept. of Education eliminated nearly the whole office that administers funds for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

That’s the federal law that says every child with a disability has the right to a quality public education

1

Jake Johnson @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social · 2h

I’ve been a public school teacher for 20 years. My wife is a paraprofessional who works with deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

So let me tell you why these cuts to special education will be absolutely devastating 🧵

www.usatoday.com/story/news/e...

Education Department wipes out special ed office in shutdown layoffs, union says

The Education Department laid off nearly everyone at the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.

www.usatoday.com

1 3 4

Jake Johnson @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social · 1d

Thanks to the folks in Mower County for inviting me out to their fall chili feed! It was great to talk to nearly 100 people in Austin last night about how we can make life more affordable in southern Minnesota.

2 5

Jake Johnson @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social · 1d

Thanks to the folks in Mower County for inviting me out to their fall chili feed! It was great to talk to nearly 100 people in Austin last night about how we can make life more affordable in southern Minnesota.

2

Jake Johnson @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social · 3d

It was great to speak at the annual FDR Dinner this past weekend in Rochester. The energy in the room showed just how ready our neighbors are for new leadership in Washington.

2 6

Jake Johnson @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social · 4d

www.mankatofreepress.com/opinion/edit...

Our View: Trump, Finstad trade policies crippling farmers

The facts are getting uglier as they come out for farmers facing President Donald Trump’s onerous and devastating tariff and trade policies.

www.mankatofreepress.com

1 1

Jake Johnson @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social · 4d

Our congressman hasn’t done enough for our soybean farmers, and everyone is starting to notice. This is a powerful editorial in the Mankato Free Press about how Washington’s trade policies (and lack thereof) have created such a mess for southern Minnesota.

2 3 7

Jake Johnson @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social · 5d

Our small businesses are the heart of our communities: creating jobs, preserving traditions, and keeping southern Minnesota strong.

2

Jake Johnson @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social · 5d

I stopped by Buffalo Billfold Company in Worthington and had a great visit with owner Bill Keitel. For more than 50 years, Bill and his wife Lauri have kept their business rooted right here in southern Minnesota, with every product still made in Worthington.

2 3 3

Jake Johnson @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social · 6d

Who knew I’d get to speak at the state fairgrounds twice in one year? Had a great time at the Farmer Labor Picnic last weekend, sharing our campaign’s mission to make life more affordable for families in southern Minnesota.

1 5

Jake Johnson @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social · 7d

Congress created this mess, and they shouldn’t be paid until they fix it. I’m calling on multimillionaire Brad Finstad to refuse his paycheck until he and his colleagues open the government again.

1 2 3

Jake Johnson @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social · 8d

Southern Minnesotans will keep pushing through the mess that Washington makes. But wouldn’t it be nice to have a congressman who solved these problems instead of making them worse?

1 5

Jake Johnson @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social · 8d

Now they’ve shut down the government rather than negotiating a responsible solution to the budget and the impending healthcare crisis.

1 4

Jake Johnson @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social · 8d

These are the same politicians who already broke our economy with reckless tariffs, broke our budget with tax breaks for billionaires, and broke our healthcare with soaring premiums.

1 3

Jake Johnson @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social · 8d

While the people of southern Minnesota work hard to make ends meet, Washington politicians are shutting things down instead of doing their jobs.

1 3

Jake Johnson @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social · 9d

I’m thrilled to share that we raised over $240,000 this quarter!

Combined with our $260,000+ haul from our first quarter, we’ve now raised more than half a million dollars total — all without taking a penny from corporate PACs.

Thank YOU for making this possible!

3 3 6

Jake Johnson @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social · 10d

Always a joy catching up with my friends and former colleagues from John Marshall High School, where I taught math for 16 years.

My opponent has giant corporations in his corner, but we have teachers, parents, and neighbors in ours. That’s how we’ll win.

1 3

Jake Johnson @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social · 11d

I’m proud to have the support of Beth Benike, the founder of Busy Baby and the 2025 Minnesota small business person of the year.

Beth’s story shows how bad policies in Washington, like the tariffs supported by Brad Finstad, are devastating our small businesses and family farms.

3 7