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Congressman warns federal budget uncertainty could threaten local housing and services
Summary
Rep. George Leonard told the Greenberg Town Board federal budget proposals and shifting tariffs risk local grants, Medicaid‑funded services and Social Security access; he offered to work with town staff to identify vulnerable projects and follow up with federal offices.
Congressman George Leonard visited the Greenberg Town Board on April 23 and warned that proposed federal budget reductions and shifting trade policy could jeopardize programs and services relied on at the local level.
Leonard, who said he opened a district office in White Plains and is assigned to the House Foreign Affairs and Small Business committees, told the board that uncertainty in Washington has made it difficult to give definitive guidance about future funding. "There is so much that is in flux that things are hard to predict," he said, emphasizing his office will try to help local officials navigate potential impacts.
He flagged Medicaid as a particular concern, saying House budget plans discussed in recent debates could put roughly $880 billion in reductions on the table and that losing county revenue tied to federal programs — which he described as about $700 million in county receipts supporting the county budget — would ripple down to towns. "A loss of some significant amount of that $700,000,000 would be devastating to the county government," he said.
Leonard also warned that scheduled closures or consolidations of field offices for Social Security hearings could force some residents to travel long distances for administrative hearings; he said hearings that were held in White Plains might be moved to New Haven, Conn., creating hardship for seniors and those with limited mobility.
On grants, Leonard said the appropriations process and continuing resolutions have already left some previously announced local projects out of funding rolls and urged town staff to continue applying for federal grants even amid uncertainty: "If it does happen and the boat leaves the dock, then, you know, you're not on the boat," he said.
During a Q&A, Supervisor Feider asked specifically about the risk to Section 8 and project‑based vouchers. Leonard said the concern was "legitimate," noting that changes in regulations could render some programs "unworkable" even if not fully eliminated. He offered to meet with the supervisor, council members and staff to produce a written list of projects and affected units so his office could seek a federal readout.
Leonard closed by offering his staff as a resource for grant refinement and follow‑up and by promising to communicate the town's specific concerns to the appropriate federal offices and to the U.S. senators who represent the state.
The town board thanked Leonard and invited further coordination between his district staff and local planners.
