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Lakewood council adopts resolution backing protection of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid; AFL‑CIO speaker warns of system risks
Summary
Lakewood City Council on April 7 adopted a resolution supporting protection and expansion of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and opposing cuts; an AFL‑CIO representative warned about staffing reductions and possible risks to benefit delivery.
Lakewood City Council on April 7 adopted Resolution 2025‑16 urging protection and expansion of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and opposing proposed cuts and office closures.
President Keppel introduced the resolution and said the measure would join the North Shore AFL‑CIO in advocating for staffing and program protection. Dave Shegley, representing the AFL‑CIO and a longtime Social Security employee, told council Social Security is “a program a program of earned benefits, and it was born out of the depression,” and warned that staffing losses and executive actions targeting collective bargaining and systems staff could threaten timely benefit delivery.
Council members expressed support for the city’s SSA office and for federal advocacy to preserve staffing and service levels. Councilman Bullock and others urged outreach to federal legislators to ensure local offices and systems staff remain funded and staffed.
Why it matters: Lakewood hosts a heavily used Social Security office. The resolution is a formal local statement urging protection of earned benefits and local service infrastructure amid reported federal staffing and policy changes.
Next steps: Council adopted the resolution by voice vote; the sponsors and advocates said they will continue advocacy and outreach to federal officials.
Ending: After adoption council members invited AFL‑CIO representatives for a presentation and asked residents to contact federal lawmakers to preserve services.
