Kris Schulze
@krisschulze.bsky.social
Gov't innovator connecting people through tech & mom advocating for #accessibility with son. Be sure to check out his blog at https://justinsmithwrites.com/blog/
The latest from my son on how this week has been for him as a SNAP recipient. Thanks @governorwalz.mn.gov for the November SNAP benefits that my son just received yesterday and thanks @smith.senate.gov & @amyklobuchar.com for fighting for affordable healthcare, SNAP, and ending this chaos! @dfl.org
How has my week been? It's been all:
Yes, I’ll get my November #SNAP benefits.
No, I won’t.
Yes, maybe a bit.
No, not at all.
Yes, of course, because Minnesota is nice.
No, wait a minute – will it get clawed back?
Definitely read my latest blog! justinsmithwrites.com/2025/11/09/o...
Yes, I’ll get my November #SNAP benefits.
No, I won’t.
Yes, maybe a bit.
No, not at all.
Yes, of course, because Minnesota is nice.
No, wait a minute – will it get clawed back?
Definitely read my latest blog! justinsmithwrites.com/2025/11/09/o...
Oh SNAP Part 2: To have or have not?
How has my week been? It’s been all: Yes, I’ll get my November SNAP benefits. No, I won’t. Yes, maybe a bit. No, not at all. Yes, of course, because Minnesota is nice. No, wait a minute – wil…
justinsmithwrites.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:47 PM
The latest from my son on how this week has been for him as a SNAP recipient. Thanks @governorwalz.mn.gov for the November SNAP benefits that my son just received yesterday and thanks @smith.senate.gov & @amyklobuchar.com for fighting for affordable healthcare, SNAP, and ending this chaos! @dfl.org
Reposted by Kris Schulze
What could the loss of ACA enhanced premium tax credits mean for different households? And how much more could people pay if the tax credits expire?
Our analysis explores the potential financial impact for both middle- and low-income households: https://on.kff.org/4nzRd5X
Our analysis explores the potential financial impact for both middle- and low-income households: https://on.kff.org/4nzRd5X
October 7, 2025 at 7:09 PM
What could the loss of ACA enhanced premium tax credits mean for different households? And how much more could people pay if the tax credits expire?
Our analysis explores the potential financial impact for both middle- and low-income households: https://on.kff.org/4nzRd5X
Our analysis explores the potential financial impact for both middle- and low-income households: https://on.kff.org/4nzRd5X
Reposted by Kris Schulze
This happened! I spoke at Rep. McCollum's Listening Session about the impacts to Medicaid & our healthcare yesterday. Thanks @mccollum.house.gov for inviting me to share my story. Here's my testimony and the recording - justinsmithwrites.com/2025/09/25/t...
#Medicaid #Disability #Healthcare
#Medicaid #Disability #Healthcare
This happened…
Last Friday, I was contacted by Representative Betty McCollum’s Office to be part of a panel that happened yesterday to talk about the impacts of HR1 on Medicaid and our healthcare system. I,…
justinsmithwrites.com
September 26, 2025 at 3:11 AM
This happened! I spoke at Rep. McCollum's Listening Session about the impacts to Medicaid & our healthcare yesterday. Thanks @mccollum.house.gov for inviting me to share my story. Here's my testimony and the recording - justinsmithwrites.com/2025/09/25/t...
#Medicaid #Disability #Healthcare
#Medicaid #Disability #Healthcare
Ever so proud of my son, @justinsmithwrites.bsky.social for sharing his experience at @mccollum.house.gov healthcare & Medicaid listening session. If you have a chance, listen to the entire recording - very powerful! The recording & Justin's testimony is in his blogpost.
This happened! I spoke at Rep. McCollum's Listening Session about the impacts to Medicaid & our healthcare yesterday. Thanks @mccollum.house.gov for inviting me to share my story. Here's my testimony and the recording - justinsmithwrites.com/2025/09/25/t...
#Medicaid #Disability #Healthcare
#Medicaid #Disability #Healthcare
This happened…
Last Friday, I was contacted by Representative Betty McCollum’s Office to be part of a panel that happened yesterday to talk about the impacts of HR1 on Medicaid and our healthcare system. I,…
justinsmithwrites.com
September 26, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Ever so proud of my son, @justinsmithwrites.bsky.social for sharing his experience at @mccollum.house.gov healthcare & Medicaid listening session. If you have a chance, listen to the entire recording - very powerful! The recording & Justin's testimony is in his blogpost.
Reposted by Kris Schulze
I recently convened a panel of Minnesota's top healthcare experts to discuss how Trump's Big Ugly Law is harming Minnesotans' care and leading to hospital closures. In DC, I'll continue to oppose all Republican efforts to take away food, healthcare, and basic government services.
September 25, 2025 at 7:11 PM
I recently convened a panel of Minnesota's top healthcare experts to discuss how Trump's Big Ugly Law is harming Minnesotans' care and leading to hospital closures. In DC, I'll continue to oppose all Republican efforts to take away food, healthcare, and basic government services.
Reposted by Kris Schulze
Thing I think about a lot
How long does it take people to realize they’re on the wrong side of history?
How long does it take people to realize they’re on the wrong side of history?
July 23, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Thing I think about a lot
How long does it take people to realize they’re on the wrong side of history?
How long does it take people to realize they’re on the wrong side of history?
You know what I love about @mprnews.org? Hearing my favorite retired history Professor Peter Rachleff from @macalestercollege.bsky.social in this story about the 1934 Teamster's strike in Minneapolis! Time to increase my sustaining membership! @cathywurzer.bsky.social www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
Riot guns and revolution: How a bloody 1934 workers strike in Minneapolis catalyzed the nation
A landmark 1934 Minneapolis strike made the city a union town and influenced national labor law. It was an outcome that seemed all but impossible in the first part of the decade.
www.mprnews.org
July 22, 2025 at 12:34 PM
You know what I love about @mprnews.org? Hearing my favorite retired history Professor Peter Rachleff from @macalestercollege.bsky.social in this story about the 1934 Teamster's strike in Minneapolis! Time to increase my sustaining membership! @cathywurzer.bsky.social www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
“The need for care does not go away when funding gets decreased or disappears. It just means that those of us with disabilities and our families will struggle more than we already do.” says @justinsmithwrites.bsky.social
www.startribune.com/minnesotans-...
#Disability #DisabilityRights #Medicaid
www.startribune.com/minnesotans-...
#Disability #DisabilityRights #Medicaid
Minnesotans with disabilities feared state balancing budget “on our backs.” Here’s what happened.
Legislators looked to services for people with disabilities and seniors to save costs, but didn’t go as far as some thought they might.
www.startribune.com
June 13, 2025 at 11:31 AM
“The need for care does not go away when funding gets decreased or disappears. It just means that those of us with disabilities and our families will struggle more than we already do.” says @justinsmithwrites.bsky.social
www.startribune.com/minnesotans-...
#Disability #DisabilityRights #Medicaid
www.startribune.com/minnesotans-...
#Disability #DisabilityRights #Medicaid
Reposted by Kris Schulze
Justin Smith is a 26-year-old Roseville resident who has cerebral palsy, and he relies on Medicaid and SNAP to live independently. President Trump’s Big Ugly Bill would rip away his health care and food assistance to give tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires.
June 9, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Justin Smith is a 26-year-old Roseville resident who has cerebral palsy, and he relies on Medicaid and SNAP to live independently. President Trump’s Big Ugly Bill would rip away his health care and food assistance to give tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires.
Thanks @mccollum.house.gov for your unwavering support for #Medicaid and #SNAP. My son @justinsmithwrites.bsky.social has worked so hard to build his independent life and needs these services to make it work.
#Disability
#Disability
Justin Smith is a 26-year-old Roseville resident who has cerebral palsy, and he relies on Medicaid and SNAP to live independently. President Trump’s Big Ugly Bill would rip away his health care and food assistance to give tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires.
June 10, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Thanks @mccollum.house.gov for your unwavering support for #Medicaid and #SNAP. My son @justinsmithwrites.bsky.social has worked so hard to build his independent life and needs these services to make it work.
#Disability
#Disability
Reposted by Kris Schulze
"decision-makers have no idea how much money a custom software project should cost"
18F saved the government millions. Random DOGE techbros won't be able to do the same without deep experience.
By @bluesky.sboots.ca
18F saved the government millions. Random DOGE techbros won't be able to do the same without deep experience.
By @bluesky.sboots.ca
18F’s profound legacy of procurement reform
Back in March I wrote about the elimination of the United States government’s two leading digital government teams. Beyond their digital service work, these teams also did a lot of heavy lifting to ch...
sboots.ca
June 3, 2025 at 3:04 AM
"decision-makers have no idea how much money a custom software project should cost"
18F saved the government millions. Random DOGE techbros won't be able to do the same without deep experience.
By @bluesky.sboots.ca
18F saved the government millions. Random DOGE techbros won't be able to do the same without deep experience.
By @bluesky.sboots.ca
Reposted by Kris Schulze
Math is hard... but Google is free.
June 2, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Math is hard... but Google is free.
When I looked away from the stunning sunrise... Loving Devil Track Lake near Grand Marais!
June 1, 2025 at 11:13 PM
When I looked away from the stunning sunrise... Loving Devil Track Lake near Grand Marais!
"The changes are sweeping and likely to impact a substantial number of Minnesotans. Currently, 1.2 million people here access health care thanks to #Medicaid... also pays for many elderly people’s long-term care and #disability services." @jburcum.bsky.social
www.startribune.com/burcum-big-b...
www.startribune.com/burcum-big-b...
Burcum: ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ takes hatchet to health care
Newly passed U.S. House reconciliation legislation could result in punishing coverage losses, more red tape and — perhaps surprisingly — property tax hikes, writes columnist Jill Burcum.
www.startribune.com
May 25, 2025 at 11:00 AM
"The changes are sweeping and likely to impact a substantial number of Minnesotans. Currently, 1.2 million people here access health care thanks to #Medicaid... also pays for many elderly people’s long-term care and #disability services." @jburcum.bsky.social
www.startribune.com/burcum-big-b...
www.startribune.com/burcum-big-b...
Reposted by Kris Schulze
This is what we’ve been saying. Without a federal department of education enforcing these laws, they will go unheeded. IDEA only matters if the feds make it matter.
“Historically, when left to their own devices, states don’t necessarily do the right thing for kids with disabilities and their families,” a former director at the federal Office of Special Education Programs said.
With @idahostatesman.com
With @idahostatesman.com
The Department of Education Forced Idaho to Stop Denying Disabled Students an Education. Then Trump Gutted Its Staff.
For years, the Education Department was the only agency that could ensure states would improve conditions for disabled children. Now, Trump’s cuts threaten to hamper its oversight.
www.propublica.org
May 18, 2025 at 10:17 PM
This is what we’ve been saying. Without a federal department of education enforcing these laws, they will go unheeded. IDEA only matters if the feds make it matter.
Reposted by Kris Schulze
We can read - we’re not "claiming" millions will lose health insurance. It’s in the damn bill.
Thanks for the free air time anyways, Fox News.
Thanks for the free air time anyways, Fox News.
May 13, 2025 at 8:58 PM
We can read - we’re not "claiming" millions will lose health insurance. It’s in the damn bill.
Thanks for the free air time anyways, Fox News.
Thanks for the free air time anyways, Fox News.
Reposted by Kris Schulze
This
It'd be nice if editors at major media outlets did a basic refresher on journalistic ethics so they could understand that claims require a factual basis. By any reasonable metric, DOGE has *increased* the spending of the government and *increased* the deficit while reducing the quality of services.
First, what qualifications whatsoever does this guy have to speak "with the guys on DOGE"? Second, how incredibly irresponsible for the reporter Anemona Hartocollis to describe DOGE as "a group that Elon Musk has led to reduce the size and spending of the federal government."/1
May 4, 2025 at 2:33 PM
This
Thanks @bobbidempsey.bsky.social for sharing my son's story. “Between threatened cuts to services at both the federal & state levels, to put it bluntly, as a person with cerebral palsy, I’m beyond frightened,” says @justinsmithwrites.bsky.social.
#Medicaid #SSI #SNAP
changewire.org/100-day-chec...
#Medicaid #SSI #SNAP
changewire.org/100-day-chec...
100-Day Check-In: Stressful Times for Those in Safety Net Programs - Changewire
People who rely on programs like SNAP and Medicaid share how they feel about this presidential administration so far – and what they worry about most now
changewire.org
May 2, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Thanks @bobbidempsey.bsky.social for sharing my son's story. “Between threatened cuts to services at both the federal & state levels, to put it bluntly, as a person with cerebral palsy, I’m beyond frightened,” says @justinsmithwrites.bsky.social.
#Medicaid #SSI #SNAP
changewire.org/100-day-chec...
#Medicaid #SSI #SNAP
changewire.org/100-day-chec...
Reposted by Kris Schulze
Here's my great-great G'pa's Alien Enemy Registration Card from 1918 found tucked away in my great-great G'ma's German Bible a century later. He immigrated to the US in 1905, started a family business in 1912 that lasted almost a century. Can't believe the Alien Enemies Act is being used today!
April 19, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Here's my great-great G'pa's Alien Enemy Registration Card from 1918 found tucked away in my great-great G'ma's German Bible a century later. He immigrated to the US in 1905, started a family business in 1912 that lasted almost a century. Can't believe the Alien Enemies Act is being used today!
This 👇
🚨 Still not getting the attention it deserves:
Critical systems behind Medicare, Medicaid, and more—programs that serve over 150 million Americans—are at risk of collapse.
Wired article explains how mass layoffs in HHS IT + cybersecurity leave our health infrastructure dangerously exposed. 🧵
Critical systems behind Medicare, Medicaid, and more—programs that serve over 150 million Americans—are at risk of collapse.
Wired article explains how mass layoffs in HHS IT + cybersecurity leave our health infrastructure dangerously exposed. 🧵
HHS Systems Are in Danger of Collapsing, Workers Say
The purging of IT and cybersecurity staff at the Department of Health and Human Services could threaten the systems used by the agency’s staff and the safety of critical health data.
www.wired.com
April 18, 2025 at 2:02 PM
This 👇
Reposted by Kris Schulze
From conservative David Brooks: “Right now, Trumpism is dividing civil society; if done right, the civic uprising can begin to divide the forces of Trumpism.”
tinyurl.com/5n6jhwtj
tinyurl.com/5n6jhwtj
Opinion | What’s Happening Is Not Normal. America Needs an Uprising That Is Not Normal. (Gift Article)
It will take a concerted effort by every sector of our society to respond to Trumpism’s threat.
tinyurl.com
April 18, 2025 at 1:31 PM
From conservative David Brooks: “Right now, Trumpism is dividing civil society; if done right, the civic uprising can begin to divide the forces of Trumpism.”
tinyurl.com/5n6jhwtj
tinyurl.com/5n6jhwtj
Reposted by Kris Schulze
I'm one of those lucky 1/4 of eligible who has a housing voucher to help pay rent for my wheelchair accessible apartment. Without it, I will be forced to move. @smith.senate.gov my life as I know it will fall apart if I don't have a housing voucher, SSI, Medicaid, and SNAP.
Only ¼ of eligible families currently get vouchers to help cover their rent. A lot of these families could become homeless or be put on the brink of homelessness if we cut Section 8 funding.
Just a cruel move that will only make the housing crisis worse and harm millions of families.
Just a cruel move that will only make the housing crisis worse and harm millions of families.
NEW: The White House is preparing a budget that could include deep cuts to federal housing funds, and a reconfiguration of housing vouchers/Section 8 that may result in low-income families losing aid. Many told me the details are hazy, but the result is fewer dollars www.nytimes.com/2025/04/17/u...
April 17, 2025 at 5:45 PM
I'm one of those lucky 1/4 of eligible who has a housing voucher to help pay rent for my wheelchair accessible apartment. Without it, I will be forced to move. @smith.senate.gov my life as I know it will fall apart if I don't have a housing voucher, SSI, Medicaid, and SNAP.
Absolutely a cruel move @smith.senate.gov. If my son loses his voucher, he won't be able to afford his accessible apartment and will indeed be facing a very cruel move. Here's what he wrote when he finally got that housing voucher: justinsmithwrites.com/2022/12/03/r...
April 17, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Absolutely a cruel move @smith.senate.gov. If my son loses his voucher, he won't be able to afford his accessible apartment and will indeed be facing a very cruel move. Here's what he wrote when he finally got that housing voucher: justinsmithwrites.com/2022/12/03/r...
@governorwalz.mn.gov & MN House are balancing budget on backs of people with disabilities "Reducing funding for human services will not only harm those who rely on these essential services but could also lead to increased costs in the future." www.startribune.com/at-whose-exp...
At whose expense will Minnesota balance its budget?
With a month to go in the legislative session, the House and governor have one approach, and the Senate has a better one.
www.startribune.com
April 15, 2025 at 10:16 AM
@governorwalz.mn.gov & MN House are balancing budget on backs of people with disabilities "Reducing funding for human services will not only harm those who rely on these essential services but could also lead to increased costs in the future." www.startribune.com/at-whose-exp...