We are in the midst of political uncertainty on the federal level. The state Legislature, the state administration, county and local governments, and school boards are all concerned over the unknown of the federal government. Every level of government relies in some way on federal funding.
The state government and many school districts budget on a fiscal year while local governments budget on a calendar year. The absolute uncertainty of the federal government is making it extremely difficult to prepare workable budgets.
Budget season for the state begins in February and is to conclude by June 30. Sometimes the budget comes in on time, other times a little late, other times a lot late. However, we must adopt a budget. The Legislature is working on what will be final numbers and we may get through this year, but if federal funding is cut, the new budget could unravel.
Be sure that certain cuts cannot be made up by the state or county governments. Any federal cuts to Medicaid, transit, infrastructure, education or health care would be impossible to handle through state and local funding. These governing bodies could only make up the monies with hard decisions of their own, possibly through budget cuts on their own levels.
One local example of federal cuts is the report that monies needed for flood remediation in Bridgeville is now not available, as the federal government has chosen to not provide those monies that were previously promised.
As we face the reality of needing to fund essential programs, while monies that we have relied upon for years may become unavailable, new streams of revenue may need to be considered. The State House considered a possible new stream of revenue. Last week the House passed a bill that would legalize adult use cannabis.
The Senate is not inclined to pass the House version, so the debate on this matter is far from over. What is evident is that this matter most likely will reach a compromise, if only from the standpoint that it will bring in much needed revenue.
I do not like looking for new means of generating revenue through “sin” taxes, but I would not want to see us having to raise taxes otherwise. I hope that the federal government stops taking away funding and stops threatening to cut necessary funding.
Fiscal responsibility is vital. Watching what we spend is vital. Cutting fat from the budget is a goal that we should achieve. But to cut life-saving funding is irresponsible. Cutting services to vulnerable people who have worked and paid taxes throughout their lifetimes is wrong. Cutting contracts from grant funding to our local municipalities – funding that is meant to support infrastructure, as has happened to Bridgeville — poses dangers to our communities.
It is very important for us to reach out to our federal Senators and Congresspeople to express our concerns. We are a nation of representative government. Our elected federal officials are reachable and need to hear from us. Hopefully, they will listen to the people they represent and will recognize the impact of their actions.
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