WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County officials have launched a determined campaign to safeguard more than $68 million in federal funding that sustains vital services for its residents. Facing looming budget cuts and funding uncertainties, county leaders have intensified efforts to engage with federal policymakers and national organizations.
Last week, County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz, and Eric Roe, alongside Chester County CEO David Byerman, held strategic discussions with the offices of U.S. Senators John Fetterman and David McCormick, as well as Representative Chrissy Houlahan. Meetings with the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) in Washington, D.C., reinforced their push to defend essential allocations.
“Federal dollars account for more than $68 million of Chester County’s $730 million annual budget, and recent unilateral freezes and rollbacks have placed this funding at risk,” said Commissioner Maxwell. “The ‘will they-won’t they’ day-by-day uncertainty has been threatening crucial support for our most vulnerable residents. We feel it’s time for Chester County to mount a ‘full court press’ – addressing the issues now and directly.”
Key programs affected by proposed funding cuts include public health, affordable housing, public transit, and workforce development. Among the most severe cuts is a $7.3 million reduction to Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity funding, which supports disease prevention and public health initiatives.
“As our Public Health officials note, without this funding it will be incredibly difficult to properly support the prevention and mitigation of ongoing outbreaks of infectious diseases like measles and whooping cough,” said Commissioner Moskowitz. She also warned of threats to other areas such as libraries, emergency services, and community development programs.
Echoing the urgency of the situation, Commissioner Roe acknowledged the importance of fiscal responsibility while advocating for the protection of vital services. “I commend the White House’s efforts to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse, and to reduce federal spending,” Roe stated. “At the same time, I want to ensure that critical programs serving Chester County’s most vulnerable men, women, and children are protected.”
To bolster their efforts, Chester County staff are developing real-time tracking tools to monitor at-risk funding and provide clear insights to lawmakers about the local impact of federal budget decisions. Further consultations with congressional offices and stakeholders are planned in the months ahead.
County leaders remain committed to ensuring that critical federal support continues to serve Chester County residents effectively.
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