Federal Cuts, Local Actions: Maryland’s Efforts to Support Laid-Off Workers

Imagine waking up one day to find out your job is gone — not because of something you did wrong, but because of a sweeping plan to "shrink the government." That’s the reality for thousands of federal workers living in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. As part of a major effort by the Trump administration to downsize the federal government, layoffs have been rolling in fast — and the impact has been deeply personal and has the potential to change the landscape of the DC area for years to come..

Families are struggling to pay bills. Mortgage payments are being missed. And across neighborhoods in Maryland, the anxiety is real. Two new local bills — CB-024-2025 in Prince George’s County and Expedited Bill 10-25 in Montgomery County — aim to bring relief. But what are these bills about, and what can they do for you or your neighbor who just lost their federal job?

Why These Bills Exist: Background and Reasoning

The bills come in response to a major federal workforce shakeup led by the Trump administration. Through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — a new agency focused on cutting down federal spending.

DOGE, or the U.S. DOGE Service (USDS), is the renamed U.S. Digital Service, and the U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization (USDSTO) within USDS. These agencies were established on January 20 by an executive order to implement President Trump's "DOGE Agenda." Through DOGE, the White House has already laid off tens of thousands of government workers. Maryland, home to over 100,000 federal employees (70,000+ in Prince George’s County alone), is one of the hardest-hit states.

In counties like Prince George’s and Montgomery, where so many families rely on federal jobs, the ripple effects are everywhere. Home foreclosures are on the rise, utility shutoffs are becoming more common, grocery bills are harder to manage, and local businesses still recovering from the effect the COVID-19 pandemic had on business are losing customers. For every worker laid off, there’s a family, a landlord, and a lender also affected. That’s why local leaders say something had to be done — and fast.

In Prince George’s County local leaders like Council Members Blegay, Oriadha, and Hawkins say they’re stepping up to provide help where the federal government has stepped away. Montgomery County, led by Vice President Will Jawando and other councilmembers, is doing the same.

The Trump Administration’s Efforts to Shrink the Government

The second term of President Trump has focused on reducing the size of the federal government. Through the DOGE — led by Amy Gleason (though Elon Musk’s role as a special government employee is causing controversy) — the administration launched several executive orders to slash jobs, freeze hiring, and cut funding to agencies like the CDC and NIH. This “efficiency” push, according to Trump officials, is about saving money and streamlining services. However, some critics argue it’s causing chaos and hurting real people.

What the Bills Actually Do

CB-024-2025, also known as the Prince George’s County Federal Worker Emergency Assistance Act, would amend Subtitle 10 of the Finance and Taxation Code, which is being expanded to create new assistance programs. The bill provides vital support to federal workers in the county who have been laid off. The bill introduces a $1,000 one-time emergency financial grant to assist with essential expenses such as rent, mortgage, utilities, or groceries.

Additionally, it creates a comprehensive job recovery program, which would establish priority hiring for former federal workers for County government positions. There will also be tax credits for local businesses that employ laid-off workers and free job training through Prince George’s Community College. The bill would also offer expanded food assistance through grocery store vouchers, food bank access, temporary property tax relief, and deferred utility bill payments.

Montgomery County has introduced Expedited Bill 10-25, which amends Section 33-7 of the county’s personnel law so it would provide hiring preference for Montgomery County government jobs to individuals who were laid off on or after January 1, 2025, provided they reside in the county and can demonstrate a loss of income due to the layoffs. This hiring preference places displaced federal workers on the same level as veterans and individuals with disabilities within the county's hiring system, ensuring equal opportunities for those impacted.

Where the Bills Stand Now

In Prince George's County, CB-024-2025 has been introduced. It is currently being reviewed by the Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee and is expected to pass in the coming weeks, with support from most of the County Council. It would take effect 45 days after it becomes law. So, if passed in early April, we could see programs launching by mid-May.

Expedited Bill 10-25 was introduced into the Montgomery County Council on March 18, 2025. A public hearing has been scheduled for April 1. Due to its urgent nature, this bill is being fast-tracked. It will go into effect immediately upon becoming law, with hiring preference rules in place shortly after the County Executive submits implementation guidelines (within 60 days).

Who Will Enforce the New Rules?

In Prince George’s County, the Department of Social Services will manage the emergency fund and services. The County Executive will assign agencies to handle job training and tax relief programs. In Montgomery County, the Office of Human Resources will manage hiring preferences based on new rules set by the County Executive.

Support and Opposition

So far, both bills have received support from both local residents and most county lawmakers. There are not many in the area who do not know someone who’s been laid off, and everyone wants to help.

However, there are concerns about:

• The cost of the programs to the county budget

• Whether private lenders will cooperate with relief plans

• The temporary nature of the Montgomery bill (which expires after one year)

  
  

Still, leaders like Council Member Calvin Hawkins stress the importance of acting now: “How can we implement it so it is a win-win for not just our federal displaced federal employees but the lender because there’s going to be money held up that they will not receive.”

These bills may not fix everything, but they are a clear sign that local leaders in Maryland are stepping up where the federal government has decided to step away. In a time of fear and frustration in the DC metropolitan area, these efforts offer hope — and maybe a way forward.