By NCI
Budget cuts and withholdings at the federal level (in Washington, DC) are leading to cuts in important local programs like housing, health, shelters, and more.
Acting Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors Terra Lawson-Remer says, “Federal directives are already disrupting essential services in San Diego County.”
County services are interconnected with decisions made in Washington, DC, but this money comes from San Diegans. “These are not handouts from Washington,” says Lawson-Remer. “Local San Diegans pay billions of dollars in federal taxes every single year, and that money is meant to come back to our community to fund essential services,” she says. More than $1.3 billion dollars in the San Diego County budget is funded through federal sources. Today, these sources are at risk of being cut or delayed under the Trump administration.
What Is Affected?
Disaster Relief: Protection from wildfires and floods, reimbursement for efforts through FEMA, rebuild infrastructure, provide emergency shelter for asylum seekers and newly arrived migrants. “Shelters in San Diego have already closed, forcing more people onto our streets,” says Lawson-Remer.
Public Health: With the CDC, track infectious diseases, respond to public health emergencies, train public health workers to respond to emergencies and keep communities safe.
Housing: Through HUD, rental assistance, affordable housing developments, stable housing for vulnerable residents like families, seniors, and people with disabilities.
Behavioral health: “Medicaid is the backbone of our behavioral health system,” says Lawson-Remer. “The Trump administration could renew it, scale it back, or eliminate it entirely.” Funds pay for mobile crisis response teams, crisis stabilization units, CalAIM program, sober housing. Food assistance programs are also at risk.
“We have worked very hard to build a stronger, safer community,” says Lawson-Remer. “We cannot let these federal roadblocks undo our progress.”
What Can We Do?
Your congressional representatives fight for San Diegans. Make sure you vote for people who represent what you think about these funds that come from the taxes you pay. If you can’t vote, attend community meetings and let representatives know what you think about these programs being cut.
