Advocates urge Long Branch officials to oppose OMB rule change that could limit civil-rights enforcement in federal grants

Judith Brown of the Motion Center for Independent Living told the Long Branch City Council on July 8 about a proposed Office of Management and Budget rule change and asked the council to help spread the word before the federal public-comment deadline, July 13.

Brown said the proposal ‘‘would no longer enforce the civil rights portion of federal granting,’’ and that the OMB would reserve the power ‘‘to remove funding without administrative review,’’ potentially leaving grant recipients without recourse even when they had complied with grant terms. She said those changes could alter how ADA compliance and other civil-rights conditions attached to federal grants are administered.

Council members thanked the speakers and offered to share contact information for residents who want to file comments. One council member said they would forward the speaker’s contact to the clerk, and another offered to share the information with a congressional office.

Other public commenters tied the proposed federal changes to local concerns: Stan (a resident who spoke after Brown) and others urged community action, arguing the changes would affect services for people with disabilities. Ally Wilson, who works on food-security issues and frequently partners with local organizations, said a local nonprofit lost federal grant funding after wording about diversity, equity and inclusion led to funding restrictions, underscoring local vulnerability to changes in federal grant administration.

The council did not adopt a formal resolution at the July 8 meeting but attendees were encouraged to submit individual public comments by July 13.