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Federal update warns of federal personnel churn, DHS shutdown and FY27 budget cuts that could affect Alameda County
Summary
CJ Lake consultant John Assini told the Alameda County committee that a prolonged Department of Homeland Security shutdown and the FY27 federal budget proposal — including steep defense increases and proposed cuts to domestic programs — could threaten county-supported safety-net programs; he described many items as unconfirmed and subject to the appropriations process.
John Assini of CJ Lake told the Alameda County Personnel Administration and Legislation Committee on April 6 that recent personnel changes and unresolved funding fights in Washington could have downstream effects on county programs.
"The Department of Homeland Security remains shut down, for the 51st day," Assini said, noting an executive order provided back pay for some DHS employees but that Congress must act to provide prospective funding. He summarized a range of unconfirmed personnel moves in the executive branch and noted that many of those reports were not verified: "these are all unconfirmed reports," he said.
Assini also reviewed the FY27 federal budget proposal, which he said proposes large increases for defense spending alongside proposed reductions to many domestic programs. He said the proposal would eliminate or sharply cut programs the county relies on, including LIHEAP, CSBG, CDBG and the CDFI Fund, while proposing substantial new defense spending. "Because this is just a budget request, most of these things ... will be returned through the regular appropriations process and will not see a significant cut," he said.
Committee members pressed Assini on the scope of the presidential executive order covering DHS pay. Chair (speaker S1) asked whether the order provides only back pay or also prospective funding; Assini replied that the order covers back pay and that Congress would need to pass a DHS funding bill for prospective pay without a further executive order.
The presentation framed the budget items as proposals subject to change in the appropriations process and to political negotiations after the midterm elections. Assini advised county staff to monitor appropriations timing and said the ultimate fate of WIOA and other domestic programs will depend in part on which party controls Congress after the elections.
The committee did not take a formal action on the federal update; there were no public comments on the federal legislative update during the meeting.
The committee is expected to continue monitoring federal appropriations developments and any new guidance affecting county programs.
