Local, tribal and state elected officials respond to White House announcement on federal funding 

Elected officials say their communities rely on federal programs for economic, environmental and public health 

MEDIA CONTACT: Jessica Pace, 615-294-2049, jess@westernleaders.org

Jan. 28, 2025 - Citing widespread negative impacts to their communities, local, tribal and state elected officials have expressed their opposition to a U.S. Office of Management and Budget announcement this week to pause trillions of dollars in federal loans and grants. 

Though a federal judge on Tuesday temporarily halted the White House order until Feb. 3 to allow courts time to consider its full impact, local leaders explained how the loss or delay of federal programs would impact their communities and constituents. 

“The White House’s announcement is appalling and would have sweeping ramifications for the local economies, public health, safety and quality of life of Montana communities and tribes,” says Shelly Fyant, State Representative, Montana. “So much is on the line, from putting many Montanans’ jobs in jeopardy to delaying important infrastructure projects. While we don’t yet understand the full scope of this announcement, no doubt Montanans and the Tribal Nations within would greatly suffer.” 

“This illegal act would literally destroy our communities, lay off police officers and firefighters, and kick people out of housing,” says Tim Keller, Mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico. “Like cities all over the country, we will challenge this alongside our partners and fight for the funding that Albuquerque has already been awarded.” 

“West Virginia depends on federal funding more than almost every other state. Among other things, cutting important programs will stall investments required to bring clean drinking water, wastewater treatment, and broadband to small communities – all of which are important for diversifying our economy and attracting new businesses,” says Evan Hansen, House Delegate, West Virginia. “I'm also gravely concerned about how this announcement will impact West Virginia's small businesses and nonprofits, many of which will have to immediately suspend programs and lay off workers.” 

“Federal programs provide essential services and opportunities to our communities and help local leaders like myself better serve constituents. In Reno, federal support has helped us expand solar power and improve our sustainability through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program,” says Devon Reese, Reno City Councilor, Nevada. “Ending or obstructing federal programs like these will have far-reaching effects on our communities, creating uncertainty for local governments, impeding climate progress, hindering job growth in the clean energy sector, and hurting our most vulnerable community members.” 

“The announcement from this administration will have resoundingly negative impacts on conservation efforts, water and air quality, and community health and wellness,” says Adelita Grijalva, Pima County Board Supervisor, Arizona. “The dismantling of federal departments and elimination of existing and available support systems will be incredibly harmful, especially for communities that are already facing emergency situations and extreme weather events due to climate change. It is unacceptable that billionaires continue to enrich their bank accounts, pollute our air, poison our water and destroy our natural spaces while leaving our communities to pay the price.”

"It's difficult to overstate the negative impacts of the White House's order freezing trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans to states, cities and nonprofits,” says Erika Strassburger, Pittsburgh City Council Member, Pennsylvania. “In Pittsburgh, in addition to halting programs that serve our most marginalized and vulnerable communities, the order would stop projects ranging from the planting of thousands of street trees to energy efficiency projects to reconnecting communities that were divided by the construction of highways decades ago.” 

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program and the complementary National Electric Vehicle Formula Program have made it possible for Santa Fe County and other New Mexico communities to expand our electric vehicle charging network. I am concerned that cutting federal programs like these will greatly slow our progress on developing car charger infrastructure, which is critical to connectivity in our rural state,” says Hank Hughes, Santa Fe County Commissioner, New Mexico. “This will also disproportionately affect the most vulnerable in the community, such as those who receive vouchers for housing.”

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