As the federal government shutdown reaches its fourth week, Solano County Supervisors received a concerning update on the situation from their federal and state lobbyists during a meeting on Tuesday. Hasan Sarsour and Tom Joseph from Paragon Government Relations outlined the current legislative landscape, emphasizing the lack of progress in Washington.
Sarsour remarked, “I wish we had more positive news for you today, but here we are, 28 days into the government shutdown, and there is no end in sight.” He noted that the House has not convened for over a month, with the Speaker cancelling votes weekly since the shutdown began. Despite ongoing negotiations behind the scenes, Sarsour described the scenario as the “political version of trench warfare,” highlighting the absence of serious negotiations among leadership.
The Paragon representatives are focusing on critical pressure points, including military pay and essential services like TSA and air traffic control. Sarsour cautioned that even if California found funds to support programs affected by the shutdown, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made it clear that it would not reimburse the state. Approximately 5.5 million Californians rely on Cal Fresh benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), with one in eight individuals nationwide depending on this vital food support.
Supervisor Monica Brown raised concerns about Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding for Lopes Road, emphasizing the safety of the Cordelia area in the event of a fire. Sarsour responded that FEMA funding has slowed significantly, affecting various governments, including those in traditionally conservative states.
In a subsequent update, Karen Lange from SYASL Partners, Inc. informed the Supervisors that California’s financial outlook showed slight improvement in September. However, she noted that revenue gains tend to be inconsistent, often correlating closely with stock market performance. “If Nvidia is doing OK, it seems like we are doing OK,” Lange explained.
Governor Gavin Newsom is currently preparing the state budget, set to be released on January 10, 2024, in response to the ongoing financial crisis at both state and federal levels. Lange pointed out that Solano County might benefit from favorable funding outcomes if State Senator Chris Cabaldon is appointed Chair of the Budget Committee, a discussion reportedly underway.
Matthew Davis, Solano County Public Information Officer, then presented the board’s legislative priorities for the upcoming year. These priorities, which have been in development since August, include essential funding for water and infrastructure projects, health and human services, housing, economic development, transportation programs, public safety, and environmental protections for the Sacramento River delta and Suisun Marsh. “We’re not starting from scratch every year,” Davis emphasized, indicating a strategic approach to legislative advocacy.
The meeting highlighted the urgent challenges facing Solano County residents as the federal shutdown persists. With critical programs at risk and funding uncertainties looming, the Supervisors remain focused on addressing both immediate and long-term legislative priorities.
