Arlington County officials are turning to state lawmakers for assistance as planned federal cuts loom over vital safety net programs such as Medicaid and food assistance.
At a recent meeting with county staff and County Board members, state delegates expressed concerns regarding the impact of these federal reductions and sought input from local leaders on priority areas as they prepare to convene in Richmond this September.
Del. Alfonso Lopez (D-3) cautioned that while Virginia is in a relatively strong financial position, the expectation for a substantial reserve of state funds may be unrealistic.
“Don’t rely on that,” he emphasized during the meeting held on May 19.
Each year, Arlington County counts on over $40 million in federal funding for human services, and a significant cut could have devastating consequences.
Anita Friedman, the director of the county’s Department of Human Services, stated, “We can’t do this alone. We need support, no matter how it comes.”
Human services personnel during the forum highlighted that safety-net programs have expanded dramatically since the onset of the pandemic.
Enrollment in Medicaid in Arlington has surged by 55%, with a total of 29,307 residents now receiving benefits.
The number of households benefiting from SNAP (food-stamp) assistance has also risen sharply, with over 5,600 households enrolled—an increase of 61%.
Additionally, more than 2,800 households are part of the WIC (Women, Infants, Children) program, which supports low-income families with children up to age five, reflecting a 41% increase.
Compounding these challenges is a rising unemployment rate, escalating basic living costs such as food and housing, and an increase in homelessness.
Friedman reported that roughly 300 to 400 Arlington households face eviction each month, noting that local shelters are currently at capacity.
Board Chair Takis Karantonis warned that cuts at the federal level could create a “snowballing fiscal problem” that expands as time goes on.
State legislators are anticipated to make significant state budget adjustments in September, with the input from Arlington’s leaders poised to inform their decision-making process.
Del. Adele McClure (D-2) acknowledged the importance of having local priorities in mind as they negotiate the budget.
However, state delegates provided a sobering perspective, indicating that the anticipated budget cuts, particularly to Medicaid and Medicare, will leave the state with limited resources to address the funding gaps.
“How do you actually address the gaping hole that’s going to be created by Medicaid cuts? We don’t have the funds at the state level,” Lopez said.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding federal funding, Arlington County Board members recently approved an increase in social safety-net spending for Fiscal Year 2026, marking the first instance where spending for the Department of Human Services exceeded $200 million.
County and regional officials have been closely monitoring the effects of proposed or already imposed cuts by the Trump administration that are making their way through Congress.
However, Board member Maureen Coffey remarked that it’s still premature to fully grasp the eventual ramifications.
“It’s too soon to really understand what the trend is, what the real impact is,” she noted.
Another Board member, Susan Cunningham, highlighted Northern Virginia’s historical significance as the commonwealth’s economic engine, providing far more revenue to the state than it receives in return.
Cunningham argued that now is the time for state leaders to reciprocate and support Arlington County during this critical juncture.
“This is a time when we need the commonwealth to support us,” she concluded.
image source from：https://www.arlnow.com/2025/05/27/arlington-leaders-seek-richmonds-help-warn-of-widespread-damage-from-federal-tax-bill/
