Public health in Austin faces a critical threat as local leaders grapple with a staggering $22 million loss in federal funding. Bryden Summers, president of the American Federation of State County Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1624, voiced urgent concerns during a recent Public Health Committee meeting, highlighting the dire implications for essential services and the dedicated workers behind them.

Summers emphasized that programs vital to community health—such as immunizations, refugee clinics, and outreach initiatives—are now at risk, jeopardizing both public health infrastructure and the jobs of over 4,800 public service workers in Austin and Travis County. "It's our community and it's our workforce that are being left to deal with the consequences," he stated, calling for the committee to prioritize the stability of its existing workforce amid budget deliberations.

As discussions unfold regarding budget priorities and fair compensation for city employees, Summers urged the committee to focus on retaining trained and committed workers who are already delivering crucial services. He underscored the need for dignity, stability, and fair pay for these frontline workers, who are now facing uncertainty in their roles.

The meeting underscored the pressing need for immediate action to safeguard public health services and support the workforce that sustains them, as the city navigates this challenging financial landscape. The outcomes of these discussions will be pivotal in determining the future of public health in Austin.