Statement on OMB Federal Funding Freeze from Alexandra Sirota, Executive Director of the NC Budget & Tax Center
Freezing federal funding illegally under the guidance issued by the Trump administration’s Office of Management and Budget will have wide-ranging consequences for North Carolina.
This action threatens essential services, from the supports to the well-being of children and families to the maintenance of roads and bridges, from the rebuilding in Western NC to the operations of businesses and non-profits that partner with the government to deliver community services.
And while the exact impacts are uncertain, this move unnecessarily increases the risk of harm to many people and communities in North Carolina and the country.
Beyond the lack of clarity, the sweeping nature of this unlawful action is a further blow to a key principle of democracy — that our public money should reflect the priorities of the people, debated through a transparent and inclusive policy process, not dictated by the whims or will of any one person.
This federal funding freeze disregards the real priorities of North Carolinians, who want to see more affordable child care and housing in their communities and stability in their daily lives.
North Carolina policymakers must meet this moment by calling on the President and Congress to stop to this dangerous action, or our state and local governments will be left to shoulder a heavier load when they lose federal funding.
And when North Carolina is unable to do make up the loss of federal funds due to state lawmakers’ ongoing prioritization of state-level tax cuts for profitable corporations and the wealthy over the well-being of the people, the harm will fall on the people of North Carolina.
ABOUT NC BUDGET & TAX CENTER: The NC Budget & Tax Center is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization that documents fiscal and economic conditions in communities to support the work of people, organizations, and government to advance solutions to poverty and pursue racial equity.
Contact: Alexandra Sirota, Executive Director, at [email protected]; Mel Umbarger, Communications Director, Technology Manager, at [email protected].
