Mayor Keller Defending ABQ Against Federal Cuts
Mayor Tim Keller and the City of Albuquerque are fighting for families and law enforcement as the Trump administration cuts jobs, crime fighting programs, and essential human rights and environmental protections. Mayor Keller led a town hall discussion on Sunday afternoon at Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center with more than 230 residents in attendance to learn about the threats to City government and how the City is pushing back. More than 100 grants, totaling more than $200M, are in jeopardy for the City of Albuquerque, with even more cuts for community assistance and partner organizations on the line.
“These dangerous cuts are very real for every city in America and would have huge consequences for our families in Albuquerque. But this is not our first rodeo with Donald Trump, and we will keep fighting for our families and defend our city against anyone trying to tear us apart,” said Mayor Tim Keller.
Mayor Keller outlined essential City programs and services that could be impacted by cuts—from funding for APD and community safety, to 900 children in early childhood programs, infrastructure projects, and support for 400 small businesses. Public safety resources at risk include funding for 50 officers, money for crime lab equipment, crime-fighting technology, drug enforcement, sexual assault kits, victim liaisons, and more. Projects like the Uptown Connect mixed-use housing and transit development, which will add 400 housing units, and the Rail Trail, bike and pedestrian corridors are also at risk. The cuts will lead to tough choices, but the City will continue to balance the cuts with keeping fees low for working families, maintaining quality of life amenities for residents, and prioritizing public safety.
“These potential cuts are, pure and simple, dangerous to our city. Regardless of our party or feelings about the White House, no one in Albuquerque is better off when kids go without child care, a crime lab is without officers, streets and neighborhoods are without trees, or seniors go without meals,” said Mayor Tim Keller, emphasizing the need for steady and experienced leadership. “Like during Trump’s first term and the COVID pandemic, I will use all the tools we have, create new ones, and work with local and state government partners to keep our city running. I will stand up for every resident as we prepare for what could be exceptionally tough times.”
The mayor shared examples of current attempts to cut vital programming, citing a letter received by the Senior Affairs Department. The letter stated that unless the department immediately removed the terms 'diversity, equity, and DEI' from its programming, its AmeriCorps volunteer funding would be revoked—jeopardizing opportunities for 800 seniors to stay engaged and contribute to the community. The department responded within hours, meeting the deadline and preserving the funding. In the coming weeks, the City will launch a dashboard to track impacted services and similar threats.
The Mayor then explained what the City is doing to defend Albuquerque from dangerous cuts. Protections range from ramping up legal support and grant writing, to engaging County and State partners for flexible funding that can be used to keep the City running. The City plans to tighten its overall budget, cut non-essential spending and evaluate sales of non-essential property, equipment, and vehicles. Lastly, freeing up additional funding, like opioid settlement and marijuana tax dollars, will be critical to fill the holes of potential cuts.
The City will continue its work on renewable energy, supporting minority businesses and immigrant families. The Offices of Civil Rights, Equity and Inclusion, Black Community Engagement, Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, Native American Affairs, and Asian American and Pacific Islanders will also remain.
Mayor Keller reinforced the need to stand together as One Albuquerque and get active as volunteers, advocates, and philanthropists to support local nonprofit organizations that are also seeing their funding slashed by the Trump administration. The City continues to work with partners at the County, State, and New Mexico Federal Delegation to keep fighting for Albuquerque families.
During the town hall event on Sunday, members of the public had the opportunity to ask questions and connect with various City department staff at information tables. Community organizations shared information and resources, including public safety and social service departments, the Sierra Club, the Veterans Integration Center, and the New Mexico Minority Business Development Agency.