HARRISBURG, PA — During a hearing on April 2, the House Majority Policy Committee, led by Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, discussed Pennsylvania’s initiative to connect displaced federal employees with state job opportunities. The initiative, backed by Governor Josh Shapiro, aims to reduce the impact of federal layoffs on workers and the services they provide to residents.
The hearing detailed the negative consequences of widespread federal job cuts, including interruptions to essential services and risks to $1.6 billion in school funding. Rep. Kenyatta noted, “Thousands of Pennsylvania workers have had their lives turned upside down, and the loss of the critical services they provide will have devastating consequences for Pennsylvania.”
Gov. Shapiro’s executive order established a streamlined process for laid-off federal workers to transition into state roles. It includes a new website that aligns state and federal job listings and recognizes federal experience for state positions. To date, more than 1,600 federal employees have applied to nearly 3,000 state job openings since the program’s launch.
Testimonies during the hearing came from several key figures, including Miranda Martin, Amanda Crawford, and Philip Glover, who emphasized the importance of retaining skilled workers to support Pennsylvania residents and mitigate disruptions caused by federal-level employment reductions.
The initiative aims to safeguard public services and provide stability for affected workers and their families.
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