Late last month, the Trump administration's Office of Management and Budget (OMB) imposed what it calls a temporary "pause" (you can read it here) on all federal financial assistance programs, at least to the extent permissible by law. This was supposedly being done to stop "financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology, and the green new deal." The memo was rescinded after widespread confusion, but a White House spokesperson claims that a federal funding freeze remains in "full force and effect." So the sword of Damocles still hangs over the heads of state governments, local governments, nonprofits and the people who rely on these institutions for help.
Trump cultists love it. "Too many unjustly live off the government' Huge wake up call. Loving it." said one of my readers who is unaware that he, too, relies on this aid for many of the services he has come to expect, like police protection in Bethlehem. In a news conference, Mayor Willie Reynolds relies on $43.4 million from the federal government and budgets accordingly.
At last week's Northampton County Council meeting, Executive Lamont McClure explained what impact this freeze, if it really goes into effect, will have on the county. He indicated that, while this freeze supposedly would have no impact on funds that go directly to individuals (food stamps, social security), individuals who are cared for and assisted by federal dollars would have suffered.
Approximately 954 county employees - half of its workforce - are paid either fully or partially by federal dollars. The county would be forced to immediately furlough 610 workers, and they represent 72% of Human Services staff. These are the people who answer suicide calls and respond to complaints of child abuse and neglect. They are the people who protect seniors from predators who steal from them. It would have also hurt those who care for Gracedale's residents.
To make up the deficit in federal funds, the county would need to triple its current tax rate from 10.8 to 32 mills.
Human Services Director Sue Wandalowski noted that 20,000 people called crisis hotlines in 2023 and 2024.
