Thursday, October 16, 2025

Barger Warns of Looming Fiscal Crisis for L.A. County if Federal Shutdown Persists

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger on Tuesday issued a stark warning about the potential fallout from a prolonged federal government shutdown, saying essential safety net programs and County operations could face severe disruptions beginning Nov. 1 if federal funds are not secured by the end of October.

Barger’s statement followed briefings from County officials outlining the fiscal cliff that could emerge. She emphasized that programs such as CalFresh and CalWORKS — which provide food assistance and child welfare support to thousands of vulnerable families — are at risk of suspension.

“I am deeply concerned about the looming cliff facing many of our vulnerable families and children if federal funds are not secured by the end of this month,” Barger said. “Programs like CalFresh, which provides essential food resources to thousands of families, and CalWORKS, which supports child welfare payments for children in need, are lifelines for the most vulnerable in our County.”

Without these resources, she warned, families who rely on them could face “unimaginable hardship beginning November 1.”

Barger also noted that the shutdown threatens funding for County departments including the Department of Public Social Services and the Department of Children and Family Services, potentially jeopardizing payroll for employees in critical roles. “Any efforts by the County to backfill these shortfalls could impact our credit rating — a vital tool that keeps our necessary borrowing costs low,” she said. “The cascading effects are worrisome.”

“Clearly, our County’s resources are limited resources and every dollar counts,” Barger added. “It is essential that we prioritize funding for these core programs. Spending on new initiatives outside this essential safety net should not come at the expense of basic support for families who depend on these services.”

She urged federal lawmakers to act swiftly to restore funding and prevent disruption to services that many County residents depend on. “I urge our federal partners to act immediately to ensure that no family is left without the help they need and that our County can continue serving its residents effectively.”