Federal funding is the backbone of many essential public services in New Jersey, supporting health care, food assistance, child care, and education. However, recent federal proposals from D.C. include deep cuts to these programs — primarily to finance tax breaks for corporations and the ultra-wealthy.
These cuts would have devastating consequences for the state’s most vulnerable residents — including immigrant communities, people with disabilities, low-income families with young children, and older adults on fixed incomes.
New Jersey’s schools, hospitals, and bridges depend on federal funding
New Jersey receives nearly $30.8 billion in federal funds, many of which support critical programs for families and the state’s economy, according to recent data from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Many of these funds are passed through the state budget to individuals and programs, so even small disruptions in federal funding may lead to child care providers and soup kitchens closing their doors permanently or families being cut off from food or heating assistance.
Millions of New Jersey households count on federally funded programs
Whether programs and services are administered by federal, state, or local governments, federal grants flow to millions of households and families across New Jersey. This aid translates into health insurance and health care, preschool and child care, school meals and special education funding, and affordable housing — foundational supports to help every family succeed.
At a time when families are struggling to afford necessities like housing, food, and healthcare, any cut to these and other federal programs will directly harm hundreds of thousands of people. With the state budget facing its own structural deficit of more than $2.1 billion, federal cuts now would further hamper the state government’s ability to assist New Jerseyans. To safeguard the stability of New Jersey and support affordability for families who need it most, policymakers must prioritize protecting and expanding federal investments in public services and maintain an ample surplus to ensure the state can protect its families from harm.
