 Washington, DC How will Trump/DOGE cuts hit here? How will they affect our local citizenry? For sure the cuts will affect some of us personally, and they should determine how we try to influence our public. It won’t do any good to talk about how the administration is hurting our standing in the world of scientific research or support for global health programs. We have to point to issues that directly impact our neighbors or problems that they can understand will be coming.
So, this is an area we need to revisit, revise, and find ways to use. Social Security Social Security is a big item for many people in our communities. I think changes there will put many people in a bind, but I haven’t done enough research to speak on it. I think mid-April we will see either an inkling of something or major news. Fox should have a hard time dissembling. There are a number of programs suffering cuts that will impact our less fortunate citizens. Unfortunately, they are usually not in a position to raise a public stink. It will take some thoughtful reporting. Agriculture The U.S. Department of Agriculture is important to local citizens in ways that may not be apparent to many. The USDA canceled two federal programs that provided about $1 billion in funding to schools and food banks that purchase food directly from local farmers and suppliers. The Tarrant Area Food Bank said that it now faces a shortfall of $42 million dollars. Erath County is in the TAFB service area. This means that here may be less produce from this source available to needy families here. I asked, the Dublin program is receiving less to distribute. Local Meals on Wheels is another program which may suffer due to cuts in USDA funding. Many seniors depend on MoW for daily nutrition. In some cases the restriction of this program will place a burden on relatives….but some seniors live alone and away from able-bodied relatives. SNAP (food stamps) is another program of the USDA which may see sharp reductions, or changes… RFK, Jr. has made news promoting changes to SNAP to encourage buying healthy foods. A proposed piece of legislation in Texas (SB379) would go along with that idea, banning TxSNAP purchases of junk food. Some see a potential problem for people in areas where close stores may not carry a full variety of foods. The SPLC (Southern Poverty Law Center) discusses how any cuts to SNAP will have impacts to local grocery stores and thence to the community at large. I have not yet seen discussion of how potential cuts could affect local dairies. Some have worries regarding their immigrant workers. If Trump cuts reduce the number of OSHA or FDA inspectors, it could have repercussions, but only seen in hindsight. When impacts fall on disadvantaged households, does that resonate across our community? It will take some discerning, good reporting. Health and Human Services Funding cuts within the Department of Health and Human Services could have big impacts. Medicare and Medicaid The Trump administration plans to “claw back” around $11 Billion in COVID era grants to local healthcare institutions. Some of this funding was being used to support local healthcare infrastructure that has been/would be available to fight new crises, such as the Texas measles outbreak could become. Are changes to Medicare and Medicaid coming? Some of us have Medicare Advantage, a plan that is supposed to cost taxpayers more than straight Medicare, and a plan that Dr. Oz—who may be confirmed to head these programs—is supposed to favor. Trump has said that these programs will not be cut, but it seems that that is not the case. Here is an area where major cuts could impact the local population, and other communities more. Some rural hospitals and health care providers depend on a clientele served by these programs. Doctors are already feeling pinched because Medicare has not increased the amount they can charge to keep up with their expenses. On top of that, if they lose clientele because those people lose their Medicaid coverage, they may not have a sustainable practice. Doctors may close offices and move. If that happens in Dublin, we would be in big hurt. The hospital in Stephenville has already cut back, I think. What if it has to cut back further? Veterans’ Affairs The Veterans Administration is taking hits…… Some old guys I know, with injuries and other impacts from service in the armed forces, have to travel to Brownwood for some doctor visits and to Weatherford for other specialists. These guys may find problems in the near future as one of these hospitals closes. I’m speculating. Education Will state officials point to federal cuts to the Department of Education to deflect blame for effects of the Education Savings Accounts funding loss to local schools? I think it will take some work, and brave local education leaders, to get the word out, an assessment of what particular forces are leading to diminishment, derailing, …. and anything that happens will be used by private school people to push their agenda. Will the public assess where to place most blame? Here in Texas, we seem to be so deep in the hole, the effects of Trump cuts will not be apparent. The Southern Poverty Law Center is reporting on “Cuts and Consequences”, a series. Their focus is more Southeast, but they may identify concerns that I miss. Sources: https://www.yahoo.com/news/east-texas-food-bank-responds-232105188.html https://www.keranews.org/news/2025-03-19/tarrant-area-food-bank-faces-4-2m-shortfall-after-federal-funding-loss https://www.splcenter.org/resources/stories/effects-cuts-snap-federal-food-program-across-south/ SNAP=Food Stamps under USDA https://www.kxxv.com/news/local-news/in-your-neighborhood/107-year-old-waco-woman-reacts-to-meals-on-wheels-funding-cuts https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/28/texas-trump-federal-spending-freeze/ https://www.kxan.com/energy-crossroads/federal-cuts-impact-plans-to-grow-texas-grid-advanced-energy-options-face-delays/ https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/26/texas-measles-public-health-funding-cut/ https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article299325494.html in 2024 Texas received 58.9 billion in federal funds 37.7 billion went to TxHHS, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/federal-funding-cuts-ripple-through-heart-trump-country-2025-03-29/
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