Federal policy changes and funding cuts in Pierce County

Pierce County faces many changes from shifts in federal policy. This list of stories illustrates local impacts of federal funding cuts, tariffs and new directives. Food banks report a loss in USDA food from the Emergency Food Assistance Program amid higher costs. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department lost funding for COVID-19 response and wildfire preparedness.

Local businesses like Brown & Haley and Naomi Joe Coffee Roasters said global tariffs led to lost export markets and rising costs, while a planned schoolyard upgrade at Larchmont Elementary remains paused due to a canceled EPA grant. Local officials also point to uncertainty from cut infrastructure grants like FEMA's BRIC program and changes in federal immigration and student visa policy affecting the community.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department announced the first confirmed case of COVID-19 Friday, March 6, 2020. By Drew Perine

NO. 1: FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS HAVE PIERCE COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS ‘REIMAGINING’ SERVICES

Wildfire program takes hit with funding loss, while the future of pregnancy-data collection for high-risk patients now in doubt. | Published April 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

A view of the current schoolyard at Larchmont Elementary, 8601 E. B St., Tacoma. Plans to revamp it for community schoolyard/park space are on hold as result of EPA actions terminating similar grants of which the school system was a recipient.

NO. 2: PLANNED SCHOOLYARD OVERHAUL IN TACOMA ON PAUSE WITH ANTICIPATED FEDERAL FUNDING CUT

Larchmont Elementary project would be second EPA grant in Tacoma to face federal termination. | Published April 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

A hiker takes in the view of the White River drainage in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest outside Greenwater, Washington in February 2023. By Adam Lynn

NO. 3: TRUMP WANTS MORE LOGGING IN NATIONAL FORESTS. HERE’S WHAT THAT COULD MEAN FOR WA

The Evergreen State is home to five national forests. Trump wants to increase logging there by 25% in five years. | Published April 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

U.S. Senator Patty Murray leaves after meeting with Brown & Haley CEO John Melin, center back, and representatives from the ports of Seattle and Tacoma to talk about how tariffs are affecting local business at Brown & Haley Almond Roca facotry, on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 4: ICONIC TACOMA CANDYMAKER HIT HARD BY TARIFFS, LOSING CHINA BUSINESS, CEO SAYS

The business, as well as port and economic representatives, participated in a business roundtable with Sen. Patty Murray to detail damaging effects so far. | Published April 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

The University of Washington Tacoma campus, shown on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. File Photo By Tony Overman

NO. 5: 2 RECENT UW TACOMA GRADS AMONG INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS SEEING VISAS REVOKED

University officials say records pointed to an alleged immigration-status violation. | Published April 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shea Johnson

Kyle Willingham is using technology-based roasting and brewing to expand the limits of espresso drinks at his Naomi Joe Coffee shop inside 7 Seas Brewing in Tacoma, Washington, shown goon Wednesday, May 24, 2023. By Tony Overman

NO. 6: ‘IT SCREWS WITH ALL OF US.’ TACOMA SMALL BUSINESSES REACT TO TARIFF UNCERTAINTY

Coffee, toys and guitar parts are among market sectors facing stiff pricing challenges that ripple down to local business owners. | Published April 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

Customers can get shelf-stable items, frozen food and most other items at Nourish Pierce County’s mobile food bank parked outside Lighthouse Baptist Church, on Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Lakewood, Wash. With rising food cost Cook uses the food bank to help ends meet. By Brian Hayes

NO. 7: FEDERAL CUTS HIT PIERCE COUNTY FOOD BANKS. ‘PRICES ARE JUST THROUGH THE ROOF.’

Local food banks are facing new shortages with food and funding amid federal cuts. | Published April 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Constanza Montemayor

Valley Brook Mobile Home Park is located in a floodplain near Clear Creek and the Puyallup River. Photographed on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in Tacoma. By Brian Hayes

NO. 8: TRUMP CUTS MONEY MEANT TO RELOCATE PEOPLE FROM FLOOD-PRONE AREA OF PIERCE COUNTY

Residents interviewed by The News Tribune Thursday celebrated the cancellation of the grant, saying flooding has not been a big issue for them in recent years. | Published April 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

SAFE Boats International CEO Richard Schwarz spoke Tuesday to reporters about the effects of a current federal funding freeze on his boat-building business in Tacoma and in Bremerton.

NO. 9: TACOMA-AREA BOAT BUILDER FINALLY RECEIVES FEDERAL MONEY. THE BAD NEWS? TARIFFS

SAFE Boats International sees pause lifted on funding tied to contracts as new tariffs hit. | Published April 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

Sheriff Keith Swank (third from left, front) is shown in an undated photograph with other sheriffs from Washington state during a meeting with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, in Washington, D.C.

NO. 10: PIERCE COUNTY EXEC, SHERIFF AT ODDS OVER WORKING WITH IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES

The Pierce County Council is considering a resolution reaffirming its compliance with the Keep Washington Working Act. | Published April 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Peter Talbot

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.