Congressman Latimer warns federal budget cuts could affect local services and grants

Congressman Latimer told the Dobbs Ferry Board of Trustees on May 27 that federal budget proposals moving through the U.S. House could lead to substantial cuts in programs that support local services, including Medicaid and Community Development Block Grants.

Latimer said the House budget passed on a narrowly partisan vote and “will cut Medicaid dramatically,” a change he said could ripple down to state and county finances and affect programs Dobbs Ferry relies upon. He urged local officials to identify federal funding streams that might be vulnerable and offered to help the village assess exposure.

The congressman described the broader federal picture as uncertain and urged planning for worst-case scenarios. “Don’t call us, call your state government,” he said when discussing how some federal funding responsibilities might be shifted if the federal government reduced assistance for disaster response and other programs. Latimer also said his office has resubmitted previously approved local projects to federal agencies after earlier grants were not funded this year.

Nut graf: The remarks matter because changes at the federal level can reduce or delay funding for local infrastructure, social services and downtown revitalization projects; Dobbs Ferry trustees and staff were urged to inventory federal pass-throughs and grants so they can plan for any shortfalls.

In question-and-answer exchanges trustees asked about FEMA disaster response, impacts on small local hospitals and whether infrastructure money for Route 9 reconstruction is at risk. Latimer said FEMA and other federal programs are likely to see budget pressure, and that some decisions under consideration in Washington would shift responsibilities to states. He estimated that proposed Medicaid cuts could affect “almost 200,000 people” in his congressional district and said losses to Medicaid would also hit hospitals, nursing homes and at-home care providers, with larger effects in rural areas.

Latimer encouraged the village manager and mayor to submit a short list of priority projects, including infrastructure items such as the Route 9 corridor work, so his office can track their federal prospects and provide updated information. He also offered constituent services through his White Plains district office for matters such as passports, veterans benefits and Social Security questions.

Ending: Latimer said he will follow up with village staff and legislators at the county and state levels to monitor possible federal changes, and offered to brief local stakeholder groups if trustees or community organizations request it.