Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Military families worry about missed paychecks amid government shutdown

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 1d

1 in 6 active-duty military families already face food insecurity.

For many, delaying even one paycheck due to the shutdown means choosing between groceries, gas, and rent. This is a slap in the face to the men and women who serve our country every day.

"We were already living paycheck to paycheck, so this doesn't help at all," one military spouse said of the shutdown.

The worrying kink in this job openings, unemployment curve

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 1d

Democrats are on the same page. We won’t vote for any spending bill that doesn’t cancel the cuts, lower costs, and protect health care.

4

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 5d

We’re at a tipping point: even a small drop in job openings could mean a big spike in unemployment.

Workers can’t be the ones to pay the price for economic instability. We need bold action now to protect jobs and working families.

The Fed's rate-cutting is a matter of risk management.

PEN America says book censorship among school districts is ‘rampant and common’ in new report - WTOP News

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 6d

As a former teacher, I believe every student deserves access to diverse stories.

With over 6,800 book bans this year, the freedom to read is under attack. One parent, or politician, shouldn’t control what all kids can learn.

PEN America, a nonprofit that advocates for freedom of expression, says that while the number of book bans in schools is declining, it’s still “rampant.”

Trump cutting billions in green energy funding in states Harris won

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 7d

Trump is slashing billions in clean energy funding, targeting states like CA for political payback.
$1.2 billion for hydrogen energy in our state: gone. That’s 200k jobs and a healthier future on the line.

Playing politics with people’s livelihoods is disgraceful.

The Trump administration is cutting billions of dollars for green energy projects, particularly in states that did not vote for President Trump. The Energy Department announced late Wednesday it wa…

Government shutdown threatens food aid program relied on by millions of families

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 8d

Millions of moms and kids rely on WIC for baby formula, fresh fruits, and healthy food.

Because of the Republican’s shutdown, that lifeline could run out of money in days.

Families shouldn’t go hungry because of partisan games. End the shutdown. Fund WIC.

Experts say a food aid program that helps 6 million low-income mothers and young children will run out of federal money unless the government shutdown ends within two weeks.

Illinois sues the Trump administration over National Guard deployment to Chicago

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 9d

Deploying federal troops against U.S. cities is authoritarianism, plain and simple.

Americans shouldn’t live under threat of military occupation because their leaders disagree with the President. I stand with Illinois in defending democracy and the rule of law.

A judge declined to immediately block the administration's efforts and scheduled a hearing for this week.

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 9d

19 million Americans depend on the enhanced premium tax credits to be able to afford their health insurance. If we don’t cancel the cuts, they’ll be left uninsured. This could be a death sentence for many. We must stop the cuts.

Millions Could Lose Housing Aid Under Trump Plan

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 12d

Trump wants to cut housing aid by 43% and push rules that would kick millions off assistance. In the middle of a housing crisis, this is not the kind of reform we need. It’s outright cruelty that will only make things worse.

Drafts of unpublished rules obtained by ProPublica detail plans that would open the door to full-time work requirements, two-year limits on living in federally supported housing and stripping aid…

t.co

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 12d

Trump pledged on day 1 that he was going to bring down prices. Instead, he gave permanent tax breaks to billionaires and took nearly $1 trillion away from the health care of ordinary Americans. I won’t vote for any spending bill that doesn’t cancel the cuts and protect your care.

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 14d

Shutting down Climate Adaptation Science Centers means fewer tools to protect communities from fires, floods & hurricanes. Ignoring climate science won’t make the crisis go away. This disregard for safety & our planet is unacceptable.

1 2

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 15d

Don’t forget: In the fight to protect our health care and lower costs, you have the leverage. It’s time to call your Republican representatives and urge them to cancel the cuts.

President Trump plans to send troops to Portland, Chicago and Memphis. Here’s what we know | CNN

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 15d

Just as we’ve seen in LA and DC, Trump’s plan to send troops into Memphis, Portland, and Chicago will only spread chaos and fear. This abuse of power is a shameful fear tactic disguised as “law and order.” We must continue to resist this administration’s madness.

President Donald Trump’s announcement that he will send troops to Portland, agents clashing with protesters near an immigration enforcement building in suburban Chicago, and the expected arrival of…

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 15d

Trump is using racism as a tactic to distract his supporters from the fact that he’s taking away their health care. Don’t let him fool you.

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 16d

Last night in the Democratic caucus meeting, Hakeem Jeffries told us about his meeting with Trump and made 2 things clear: Republicans don't want to talk about health care, and they don't want to talk about Jeffrey Epstein. That won't stop us.

What schools stand to lose in the battle over the next federal education budget

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 16d

Trump’s budget would slash education funding by 15%, and gut support for low-income schools.
It’s cruel and shortsighted. Investing in our future means investing in students, not taking away the resources they need to thrive.

Education researchers warn budget proposals from the White House and House Republicans would impose steep cuts on some of the nation's most vulnerable students and disadvantaged school communities.

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 16d

For Donald Trump and Republicans, the game is all about keeping health care cuts in place in order to preserve tax breaks for the very wealthy. It’s as simple as that.

‘I’m From Here!’: U.S. Citizens Are Ending Up in Trump’s Dragnet

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 16d

No U.S. citizen should be handcuffed, jailed, or denied their rights because of the way they look or speak. Trump’s immigration sweeps are targeting Latino men, including American citizens, and tearing at the fabric of our democracy. We must stop this injustice.

As immigration agents take a more aggressive approach, they have stopped and in some cases detained American citizens.

Colleges pull back as Trump cuts programs that help migrant students

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 16d

While Democrats are committed to lowering costs and protecting health care, Donald Trump and Republicans are more interested in protecting tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy.

1 2

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 19d

For over 50 years, the College Assistance Migrant Program has opened doors for first-gen students. Now Trump’s admin has halted its funding, calling it “too costly.”

Investing in education is never a waste. It’s how we strengthen our future.

Since 1972, the CAMP program has helped tens of thousands of migrant students succeed in college. The Trump administration has cut off funding for it, forcing some colleges to reduce or eliminate…

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 19d

Americans are working hard but feeling stuck. High borrowing costs, slow hiring & rising uncertainty are freezing people in place. A rate cut isn’t enough. We need affordable housing and strong union jobs to build an economy that works for working people.

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 20d

Don’t be fooled. The No on Prop 50 campaign is backed by MAGA mega donors. They want you to believe that they’re trying to protect our democracy, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. California must fight back and vote yes on Proposition 50 this November.

Trump Appointees Roll Back Enforcement of Fair Housing Laws

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 21d

By Oct. 5, only six fair housing lawyers will remain at HUD. Hundreds of discrimination cases have been dropped. Civil rights precedent erased. Protections gutted.

Justice delayed is justice denied, and right now, it’s being dismantled from within.

Interviews and internal documents show that signature civil rights protections in housing are being dismissed as ideologically driven and D.E.I. in disguise.

nyti.ms

Trump administration halts government hunger report

Mark Takano @marktakano.bsky.social · 22d

The Trump admin just canceled the federal hunger report, calling it “liberal fodder.”

For 30 years, this report helped us understand food insecurity in America. Ending it doesn’t make hunger disappear. It just hides the truth.

The Trump administration has terminated an annual government hunger report, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said Saturday. “The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the termination of…