Impact of Federal Budget Cuts

One of the charges of any local government is to do everything within their power to protect the residents of the community. While this includes routine decision-making about tax dollars, public safety, recreation, highways and more, it also requires representatives keep an eye on decisions made by state and national leaders that might have local implications. As an example, July 1st is the start of the new fiscal year for many organizations, including school districts and educational organizations. This year, the United States Department of Education chose to withhold billions of Congressionally-mandated dollars signed into law by President Trump from states with no clear direction on why or when the funds will be released. For a number of reasons, Lancaster schools are likely to feel a limited impact but the full consequences won't be known until existing grants start to run out. The decision, though, won't just impact schools.

Various media outlets have been checking in with organizations that will be impacted. From a Newsweek article on July 7 about the withheld funds, Jim Clark, president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, said: "Just like any organization, Boys & Girls Clubs depend on financial commitments to operate—to recruit talent, deliver services, and meet the needs of families they serve daily. If these funds are blocked, the fallout will be swift and devastating." He estimated that, "as many as 926 Boys and Girls Clubs could close, affecting more than 220,000 kids." He did not specific to which clubs could or might close, only to the damage this decision could and will do to the organization as a whole.

Regardless of how or when the funds are dispersed or not, Lancaster will need a town board that is focused on the details of our town budget and how it can be used to minimize the impact of decisions made by politicians hundreds of miles away. When we first made the decision to run, Tom and I sat down and went through the budget and town policies, line by line. We've been meeting with and talking with anyone and everyone with an opinion they're willing to share to get a sense of changes we can advocate for on Day 1. We're willing to take advantage of every financial opportunity presented by New York State that will protect and improve Lancaster's quality of life and will not hesitate to let DC know exactly how their decisions have impacted the children and families in Lancaster.

Originally posted on Facebook on July 14