Drew Johnson, a Republican candidate for Nevada State Treasurer, has expressed concerns over public sector involvement in internet infrastructure, citing potential mismanagement. He highlighted federal efforts to address inefficiencies in funding allocations.
“I’ve been exposing taxpayer-funded broadband boondoggles at the federal, state, and local levels for 20 years,” said Jason Andrew Johnson, Congress Nominee. “government internet projects = massive waste and corruption. so glad Sec Lutnick is cleaning up some of the mess and saving Americans $21 billion in the process.”
According to Johnson’s post on X, he responded to a statement from Secretary Howard Lutnick regarding broadband program reforms. The post outlines Johnson’s experience in identifying waste within government-funded broadband initiatives at various governmental levels. It supports measures aimed at reducing corruption and achieving significant taxpayer savings.
Nevada received $416 million under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program to enhance broadband access in underserved regions. However, state deployment has faced regulatory challenges that have delayed implementation and raised efficiency concerns. A previous $9.1 million broadband initiative in Nevada underscored issues with fund management and oversight.
The U.S. Department of Commerce approved 18 state final proposals for the BEAD program as part of broader reforms intended to improve efficiency. These changes have reportedly resulted in estimated taxpayer savings of at least $21 billion through adjusted allocations and reduced requirements. The initiative aims to expand broadband access while controlling costs nationwide.
Johnson has worked as a policy analyst and senior fellow at conservative organizations such as the Taxpayer Protection Alliance. He was the Republican nominee for Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District in 2024 and announced his campaign for Nevada State Treasurer in 2025 with a focus on taxpayer protection.
