As the federal government shutdown nears its fourth week, the Solano County Supervisors convened to receive updates from their lobbyists and discuss legislative priorities for the upcoming year. On Tuesday, lobbyists Hasan Sarsour and Tom Joseph from Paragon Government Relations delivered a sobering assessment of the ongoing situation in Washington, D.C.
Sarsour began by stating, “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 of Representatives has not been in session for over a month, with votes consistently cancelled since the shutdown commenced. “The House Speaker has been pretty adamant that the House Republicans have done their job,” Sarsour added.
Despite some negotiations taking place behind the scenes, Sarsour described the current state of affairs as a “political version of trench warfare.” He emphasized that “there are no serious negotiations happening at this point.” The lobbyists identified critical pressure points, including military pay, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), air traffic controllers, and other essential workers. Sarsour explained that even if California were to fund programs locally, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made it clear that it would not reimburse the state.
In California, approximately 5.5 million people rely on Cal Fresh benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), with one in eight individuals nationally depending on this vital food support system.
During the meeting, Supervisor Monica Brown raised concerns regarding Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding for Lopes Road, highlighting the potential safety risks for the Cordelia area in the event of a fire. She remarked, “There is a certain person who doesn’t like us because we are in California.” Sarsour confirmed that FEMA funding has slowed down, affecting many governments, including those in traditionally conservative states.
Following this update, Karen Lange from SYASL Partners, Inc. provided an overview of the state’s financial landscape. She noted improvements in the budget picture as of September but cautioned that gains often come with setbacks. “Our revenue picture is tied almost one-for-one to the stock market,” Lange explained, referencing the performance of major companies such as Nvidia.
Looking ahead, Lange mentioned that Governor Gavin Newsom is preparing his budget proposal, due on January 10, 2024, which must address both state and federal financial challenges. “He’s got to put together a budget that addresses HR 1,” she stated. Lange also indicated that Solano County could see more favorable funding outcomes if State Senator Chris Cabaldon is appointed Chair of the Budget Committee, a possibility that has been discussed.
Finally, Matthew Davis, Solano County’s Public Information Officer, outlined the board’s legislative priorities, which have been drafted since August. Key priorities for the upcoming year include 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. Davis assured the board, “We’re not starting from scratch every year,” indicating a commitment to continuity in addressing these pressing issues.
