Local Impacts Grow as Shutdown Continues

Effects of the government shutdown, which began on October 1, are being felt in St. Mary’s County. The local economy relies heavily on federal workers and contractors who support Patuxent River Naval Air Station. Already this year, the Trump Administration’s push to downsize the federal government has caused some in our community to lose their livelihoods. Household budgets are being recalculated to eliminate unnecessary expenses resulting in a drop of consumer spending that directly affects businesses.

One local resident, who I’ll call CB, said they felt like things were getting worse for federal workers. “It feels like the community and government have turned their backs on federal workers,” they said. Earlier this week, CB noted the lack of local resources available and said “creditors are not as willing to work with you” during this shutdown. Organizations, including St. Mary’s County Government, Public Schools, Health Department, Sheriff’s Office, and Library communicated resources via a joint release on October 28th. 

Still, “the uncertainty of receiving back pay when this is over remains,” and facing all the bills being due with “no means to pay for any of it is heartbreaking and embarrassing,” CB continued.

In July, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB Act) was passed by the Republican majorities in the House and Senate. The OBBB Act included increased spending for the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, and extending the 2017 Trump Tax Cuts. The bill also increased work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), ended subsidies that helped Americans afford healthcare, and reduced spending across government agencies.

So far, the shutdown has hinged on Democrat’s request that Republicans negotiate to continue healthcare subsidies. In place since 2014, and expanded during COVID, the subsidies provide a tax credit to eligible Americans purchasing private health insurance state exchanges. Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, has kept the House in recess for five weeks since passing their version of the CR on September 19. Johnson maintains the Senate must pass that same bill. 

Allowing the subsidies to expire will drastically increase healthcare premiums. Insurance rates were projected to go up throughout the industry in 2026 by approximately 12%. Earlier this month, several states released the 2026 yearly premium cost for plans. The price increases are startling.

I logged on to the Maryland Health Connection website to run a couple scenarios. For each one, I listed the yearly household income at $114,580–the average for St. Mary’s County. Each scenario was built around a married couple using their health insurance a medium amount on a low-medium-high scale. The only difference was their ages–one couple was 35, and the other 60 years old. 

Estimates show the 35 year old couple would see their yearly premium rates increase by 7-18%, costing somewhere between $800-$2000 more. The 60 year old couple, meanwhile, is faced with an increase between 51-81%, costing between $10,000 and $17,000 more.

Through the Maryland Premium Assistance Program, the State has offered to help cover healthcare premium increases. Those making up to 400% of the federal poverty level, or up to $106,000 per year for a family of three, will receive some amount of assistance but won’t be completely insulated from the increases.

The shutdown is also affecting SNAP benefits, with the government warning benefits won’t be deposited on November 1st. The USDA notified states on October 10th that “there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits for approximately 42 million individuals.” The USDA directed States to “delay transmission” of benefits “in the interest of preserving maximum flexibility.” 

Governor Wes Moore (D) indicated the State may cover benefits for November and seek reimbursement from the Federal government, a common practice during past shutdowns. But on October 24th, Moore released a statement saying SNAP benefits likely won’t be deposited for 680,000 Marylanders in November. Maryland has $3.5 billion in cash available to cover the expenses, “but we do not have the confidence that the Trump Administration will reimburse us” Moore said. In Virginia, Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) declared a state of emergency and will use the state’s budget surplus to cover food assistance benefits. 

On October 30th Moore declared a state of emergency, saying he would use his authority to provide $10 million to food banks across the State. At a press conference, Moore said the move is to provide help while being fiscally responsible. Maryland disperses more than $100 million in SNAP benefits per month.

The Secretary of Agriculture has legal discretion to move funds among nutrition programs. The non-partisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found that “the Child Nutrition account has more than $23 billion in carry-over funds available according to the USDA’s shutdown plan and Office of Management and Budget documents.” Some of that funding was used earlier this month to cover $300 million in WIC benefits.

More than 11,000 people in St. Mary’s County receives SNAP benefits, with 4,000 of those being children. Rose, a local mom, said SNAP benefits meant she didn’t “have to worry about my children not being fed.” Working two jobs doesn’t provide enough to pay for the necessities. The shutdown, Rose told me, “has been a very big disappointment to a lot of people, including me.” 

In their 2025 Food Security update, the Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership (HSMP) reported the food insecurity rate in St. Mary’s County is 12.5%. In 2021, 54% of renters and 26% of homeowners were cost-burdened, spending 30% or more of their income on housing–making it difficult to afford other necessities. Nearly 11% of households in St. Mary’s have a severe housing cost burden, with the highest rates in Charlotte Hall and Lexington Park. 

HSMP also reported 41% of students enrolled in St. Mary’s County Public Schools were part of the Free or Reduced Price Lunch Program. Funding for that program also comes from the USDA. The school system has funding to cover the program for up to two months, Superintendent Scott Smith said earlier this week.

Commissioner Colvin, on October 28th, indicated he was willing to use money from the county’s fund balance to help cover SNAP benefits for county residents. Though he stressed the county couldn’t cover the $12 million in benefits received each month. Commissioner Hewitt suggested using $250,000 from the fund balance to donate to local food banks to help replenish their pantries during this time of increased need.