County Executive Ken Jenkins is calling on Westchester County’s congressional delegation to oppose new requirements imposed by the Trump administration that would condition Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Homeland Security funding on states adopting changes to their election systems.
New York was one of 24 states that sued the Trump administration Thursday over the restrictions on federal funds. The proposed conditions to the county’s election process would use millions of dollars intended to protect public safety as leverage in an unrelated policy debate, putting more than $30 million of county funding at risk.
The federal dollars currently support essential programs that help prevent and respond to acts of terrorism and cyberattacks, strengthen emergency preparedness and disaster response efforts, mitigate flooding and other severe weather, and safeguard the county’s infrastructure.
“The safety and security of Westchester County residents should never be used as leverage in unrelated policy debates,” Jenkins wrote in a letter addressed to the county’s federal delegation. “These federal dollars support lifesaving programs that strengthen our emergency response, protect our communities during severe weather, and help safeguard critical infrastructure from serious harm. At a time when communities across the country are facing increasingly complex challenges, we should be working together to strengthen public safety – not creating unnecessary barriers that put our residents at risk.”
Rye has used FEMA funding to help improve the city’s ability to combat frequent problems with flooding and wastewater management.
In 2022, Rye received a $252,000 grant through the federal Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program to evaluate potential updates to the city’s building codes, flood plain ordinances, and enforcement practices. At a city council meeting last month, Mayor Josh Nathan and City Manager Brian Shea said one goal of the program was to improve the city’s competitiveness for future FEMA funding.
The city has also partnered with the Department of Homeland Security and New York National Guard to provide training to residents on how to respond quickly during emergencies and potentially save lives during crises such as severe flooding.
Jenkins’ letter urged Congress to reverse the proposed election conditions and reaffirm its commitment to supporting programs that help keep Westchester’s communities safe. He maintains election administration has long been the responsibility of state and local governments, and notes that bipartisan organizations have repeatedly found the county’s election systems to be secure and reliable.
“These funds were authorized by congress to protect our communities,” Jenkins said. “Westchester County residents should not have to bear the consequences of disruptions to programs that have proven to be essential to public safety. We are asking our congressional delegation to work with us to ensure these critical investments remain available so we can continue protecting the people of Westchester County.”
