14 State Treasurers Urge Congress to Reject Latest Budget Proposal
Friday, February 28, 2025
Friday, February 28, 2025
State financial officers say Trump’s budget will create uncertainty and instability
Today, in partnership with Americans for Responsible Growth, 14 financial officers from states across the country have penned a letter urging Republicans in Congress to reject President Donald Trump and the House GOP’s proposed budget. State Treasurers are listening to constituents in every corner of their states and working to find solutions to ease financial burdens on families, children, and workers—and that’s why they oppose House Republicans’ reckless reconciliation bill, which would gut Medicaid and other vital federal programs that millions of seniors, children, and working families rely on.
Yesterday, several State Treasurers who signed onto this letter joined a press call to outline how gutting Medicaid and other programs would strain state resources and threaten the health and safety of the country’s most vulnerable communities. Speakers urged lawmakers in both chambers to protect the economic security of states, workers, and families as the budget reconciliation bill moves through Congress, instead passing a federal budget that would create the conditions for upward economic growth for businesses, workers, and families.
The financial officers are imploring lawmakers to reject a budget that creates uncertainty and instability, undermining the very foundation of economic progress, instead supporting a budget that would prioritize the following:
Investing in a Strong Workforce
“Medicaid and other essential programs are not just safety nets; they are economic engines. They ensure that millions of American workers stay healthy and productive, allowing them to contribute to their families, their workplaces, and their communities. When healthcare access declines, productivity suffers, absenteeism rises, and businesses bear the cost of lost workdays. That burden does not disappear—it shifts to emergency rooms, state budgets, and small businesses that rely on a stable workforce.”
Supporting Local Businesses and Economic Growth
“Small businesses—the backbone of our economy—depend on consumer demand to grow and hire. Many moderate and middle-income workers rely on Medicaid for healthcare security, allowing them to stay in the workforce and participate fully in the economy. Cutting these supports doesn’t just impact individuals; it reduces consumer spending, shrinks local economies, and forces small businesses to make difficult choices that can lead to layoffs or closures.”
Read the full letter HERE. Those signing onto the letter include:
Michael W. Frerichs, Illinois State Treasurer
Deborah B. Goldberg, Massachusetts State Treasurer and Receiver-General
Julie Blaha, Minnesota State Auditor
Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer
Zach Conine , Nevada State Treasurer
James Diossa, Rhode Island General Treasurer
Laura Montoya, New Mexico State Treasurer
David L. Young, Colorado State Treasurer
Mike Pieciak, Vermont State Treasurer
Erick Russell, Connecticut Treasurer
Brooke Lierman, Maryland State Comptroller
Mike Pelliciotti, Washington State Treasurer
Elizabeth Steiner, Oregon State Treasurer
Joseph C. Perry, Maine State Treasurer
To book an interview with Americans for Responsible Growth Executive Director Dave Wallack or connect with one of the state treasurers or auditor who signed onto today’s letter, please email Ryan Thomas at press@focalpointstrategygroup.com.