With federal grant funding at risk, Balducci pushes funding stress test

January 30, 2025

With the federal government this week threatening and then walking back the threat to freeze most grant and loan funding, King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci introduced a motion to “stress test” funding sources in King County: to assess King County’s exposure to federal funding volatility and to plan for how the county could respond in the face of those threats, especially for our essential human services agencies.

“The volatile messaging emerging out of Washington, D.C., threatening routine federal funding, is causing fear and chaos even here in King County, Washington. For example, a human services agency serving youth in my district reported that a sudden drop in federal funding could close their doors within days, putting at risk young people on the streets,” Balducci said. “This is a direct assault on our communities and our ability to perform basic government functions. We must quickly review potential impacts and consider all options for King County to react and respond. It’s up to all of us to ensure that critical work can continue, regardless of who is in the White House.”

If the administration intends to conduct an ideological review of federal spending, it could threaten grants and loans totaling trillions of dollars across the nation, a move that could delay or end existing funding for a wide range of organizations and local governments across King County based solely on political considerations.

Balducci’s motion asks the executive to evaluate King County’s exposure to the volatility of federal funding and to plan for how to avoid painful impacts to King County residents who rely on basic government and community services. Balducci is seeking action at Tuesday’s Full Council meeting to allow for a County briefing at the Committee of the Whole no later than February 28.