We cannot talk or ignore our way out of what’s coming to Orange County.
As Chair of the Human Services Committee, a taxpayer, and a concerned citizen, I cannot stay silent about the disastrous federal bill Congress just passed and what it means for our community. These are not abstract debates in Washington—they are decisions that will land squarely in our backyard, leaving Orange County to pick up the pieces.
The Local Impact of Federal Cuts
Too often, we scroll past headlines assuming someone else will figure it out. The truth is, responsibility lands here—with our local government, our county budget, and ultimately you, the taxpayer. And the stakes could not be higher.
This is not about so-called “lazy people playing video games.” That’s a myth. One in four Orange County residents—26%—rely on Medicaid. In New York, 15% of Medicaid recipients are veterans. Many are working families, caregivers, or individuals with disabilities. The rhetoric doesn’t match reality, but the consequences are about to become very real.
SNAP and School Funding
Cuts to SNAP won’t just take food off the table—they will directly affect our schools and county budget. Even with New York’s universal free lunch program, SNAP and Medicaid enrollment data determine school funding. When parents lose benefits, classrooms lose resources.
The dependent age exemption drops from 18 to 14, forcing more parents into work requirements at a time when childcare funding in Orange County is already tapped out. And the financial burden grows: in 2026, the federal share of SNAP administration will drop from 50% to 25%, a $2.1 million hit to our county budget. By 2027, the cost of benefits themselves—around $15 million annually for Orange County—will likely shift to the county.
These cuts don’t disappear. They land right here. Either way, you will pay.
Medicaid and CHIP Changes
Medicaid and CHIP coverage will also shrink. Retroactive coverage, which currently extends 90 days, will be reduced to 60 and then 30. That means if you or a loved one lands in the ER, nursing home, or rehab, you could face devastating medical bills simply because the paperwork didn’t move fast enough.
Medical debt is already the leading cause of bankruptcy in America. These cuts will only make that crisis worse.
Adding to the strain, Medicaid recertification will now be required every six months instead of once a year. This will double caseloads for our Department of Social Services, creating more strain, requiring more staff, and ultimately costing taxpayers more. And with the increased burden, more people will inevitably fall through the cracks. Either way, you will pay.
The Largest Unfunded Mandate Ever
We’ve heard the term “unfunded mandate” when it comes to Albany. This is worse—by orders of magnitude. Most of us are one accident, one diagnosis, or one job loss away from needing these services. This isn’t about “them.” It’s about us.
The bill targets legal immigrants with humanitarian protections by restricting their access to Medicaid and introduces co-pays for certain services for the first time in history. Together, these changes reveal the truth: this has never been about fairness. It’s about dismantling the safety net and shifting costs onto local communities like ours.
A Costly Redistribution of Wealth
The bill doesn’t just strip away healthcare and nutrition for millions—it also adds $3.3 trillion to the national debt while making billionaires richer. That is the real redistribution of wealth.
Politics always become local. Orange County will be left to decide whether to cut services, raise taxes, or raid the county surplus. Silence, neutrality, or ambivalence is not an option.
The Call to Action
The question is simple: will we fight, or will we fold?
Orange County deserves leadership with a spine, a conscience, and urgency. The next Legislature will make budget and policy decisions that will shape our county for decades. Don’t wait until it’s too late to pay attention. Don’t just vote every four years—vote every year, because local leadership matters more than ever.
I will continue to bring forward facts, not spin, and push for real solutions. Because while billionaires cash in and leaders in Washington look away, it’s our community, our children, our veterans, our taxpayers—all of us—who stand to lose the most.
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