Trump's budget may hurt local economy
The loss of federal jobs in Pres. Donald Trump’s Mar. 16 budget proposal could be devastating for Maryland and Frederick County, according to local leaders.
A 20 percent cut to the National Institutes of Health and the resulting impact on the biotech corridor in Montgomery and Frederick counties, coupled with an estimated loss of up to 10 percent of federal jobs, could have a long-term effect on everything from tax revenues to property values. [Pictured above, CE Jan Gardner, Rep. John Delaney, Alderman Kelly Russell]
County Executive Jan Gardner (D) hosted Congressman John Delaney (D-6th District) Tuesday at Winchester Hall for a look at how Trump’s budget plan will affect people in Frederick County. They were joined by county leaders from education, housing, transportation, fire and rescue, emergency preparedness, aging, workforce development, and family services in a roundtable discussion. The group shared stories of the people they serve and the positive influence of federal dollars on their day-to-day lives.
Although the loss of specific federal grants is worrisome, Gardner said in an interview, she is most concerned about the impact of the loss of jobs. “The economic impact of the loss of federal jobs is a real concern because it means no revenue growth,” she said.
Due to its proximity to Washington, D.C., Maryland’s federal civilian job share, at roughly 5 percent, is higher than average in the U.S. Federal workers make up two percent of the nation’s workforce, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Frederick County Budget Director Rick Harcum said the county stands to lose up to $25 million in federal grants and subsidies. County budget staff attempted to match its federally funded programs with Trump’s plan to determine which services and programs would most likely lose funding.
[Pictured above, Frederick County's forecast of potential funding losses, courtesy Frederick County Government]
Programs which serve primarily the poor and the elderly are in the most danger of losing significant federal support, including housing, transportation, workforce services, and the county’s child advocacy and family partnership services.Law enforcement and fire and rescue services would suffer the least under the proposed budget, according to the county’s figures.
A Republican-controlled White House and Congress is no guarantee that Trump’s budget blueprint will go unchallenged. “We can have a lot of influence on line items, so it is helpful to have these conversations,” he said. “I know that a lot of those in the GOP also care about these issues.”
Delaney spent over about 1 ½ hours at Winchester Hall, mostly listening. He said he appreciated the opportunity to hear how the numbers on a page translate to real life.
County Budget Rolls Out
In other budget news, County Executive Gardner presented her fiscal year 2018 budget today. The county executive called it “lean, sensible, balanced and fiscally responsible” in a press release. The highlights include record funding to education; adds positions in law enforcement, fire and rescue, and emergency preparedness; gives a two percent cost of living increase to county employees and reclassifies 350 county positions; pushes collaboration with other county agencies to support senior initiatives; maintains the county tax rate; and “elevates” the Office of Sustainability.
Read the proposed FY2018 budget here.
