By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) recently hosted a virtual town hall to address the mass layoffs of federal workers and its impact on Washingtonians.
“Out of the 2.1 million federal employees, about 191,000 have work stations in Washington D.C.,” said Bowser on March 5 during the livestreamed town hall. “In the national capital region there are about 410,000 federal employees total.”
Of the 410,000, Bowser said, 71,226 people are D.C. residents.
Bowser highlighted that the financial estimate for the District has changed “dramatically” due to the current and expected mass federal job terminations and agency closures.
“Unlike many places, we are required to balance our budget several years out,” said Bowser. “The chief financial officer (CFO) estimates throughout the year, four times a year, how much revenue we will have coming into the District.”
“Estimates indicate that because of the job income loss…we can expect, in the District, to have $325 million less than we thought we would have in December,” she added.
Bowser said it is estimated to worsen over the next four years.
“What I have tasked my team with is being strategic about how we invest our dollars,” said Bowser. “We are very focused on how we bring more good paying jobs, companies and economic activity to D.C.”
Bowser outlined some factors that could change the trajectory of the CFO’s projections. Those include the Trump administration pausing and reversing job losses, the administration extending the buyout period and the courts pausing job losses to ensure legality.
Bowser and other D.C. officials outlined resources available to Washingtonians impacted by the layoffs.
“You’ll find a number of health insurance plans. There’s an outstanding comparison tool to be able to compare what’s right for your family,” said Kevin Donahue, a city administrator for the D.C. government. “There are subsidies offered for those who are struggling to make ends meet. You can get premiums for as low as $13.”
District officials also shared that there are services available to help ex-federal workers prevent foreclosures, access school and childcare assistance, student loan forbearance and deferment options and applying for unemployment insurance benefits.
They also highlighted the Public Service Career Hub, which is an online resource that can help those who have been laid off take advantage of potential D.C. government job opportunities.
D.C. residents called into the town hall with questions about available support for those affected.
One caller asked if federal benefits would transfer if the worker were employed by the D.C. government. Charles Hall, the director of the D.C. Department of Human Resources, responded that those benefits would not.
“However, the D.C. government has a good benefit package that you’ll be able to participate in,” said Hall.
Bowser acknowledged the struggles fired federal workers are experiencing, and highlighted her administration’s intent to support them.
“A lot of our fellow Washingtonians are in shock…angry,” said Bowser. “They are anxious about their futures and how they’re going to take care of their families. I’m very sorry that they’re having this experience, and I want them to know that D.C. government is going to do all that we can to help in their transition.”