Prince George’s County, Maryland — a community deeply tied to the federal workforce — has approved a scaled-down resolution to support residents affected by sweeping federal job cuts under the Trump administration.
The Prince George’s County Council unanimously passed the measure on Tuesday, aiming to extend limited assistance to laid-off or furloughed federal employees and contractors. While the resolution stops short of direct financial relief, it encourages the county executive’s office to prioritize displaced federal workers for county-level jobs, expand free career training at Prince George’s Community College, and improve access to food assistance programs.
“The county cannot do all that we wish we could do, but this is a step in the right direction,” said Council Chair Edward P. Burroughs III (D-District 8). “These are public servants who’ve given their lives to serving this country, and now they’re being treated as less than.”
Scaled-Down Support Amid Budget Shortfalls
Originally introduced as the Federal Workers Emergency Assistance Act, the proposal once promised more direct relief — including $1,000 checks per worker, property tax deferments, and waived late fees. However, after officials determined the county lacked funds, these measures were stripped away.
Additional ideas — such as business tax incentives for hiring laid-off workers and a food voucher program — were also cut from the final version due to funding shortages and lack of state authorization.
“We wish to do more,” said Council Member Wala Blegay (D-District 6), the resolution’s lead sponsor. “But we simply do not have the funding to provide the support we want, so we’re putting forth what we can now.”
Prince George’s County faces a potential $157 million budget shortfall over the next seven years, largely due to federal spending reductions and possible cuts to Maryland’s own budget.
Residents Share Emotional Testimonies
Several residents affected by layoffs attended the meeting to share their struggles. Kanessa Walker, a diversity program specialist recently laid off after eight years of service, described the shock and uncertainty she now faces.
“I’ve worked very hard to get to where I got,” Walker said. “Then out of nowhere, that program got eliminated. It doesn’t feel good at all.”
Walker, who lives in Upper Marlboro, said she plans to apply for county jobs but doubts the pay will match her former federal salary.
Another attendee, Adrienne Burch, 54, spent 35 years working for the federal government, most recently at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. She took early retirement to maintain health insurance for diabetes treatment but now receives only half her previous income.
“It was a forced retirement,” Burch said. “I wasn’t ready to retire, but now I’m in a market with over 100 applicants for almost every job.”
Burch said the resolution’s proposed free community college programs could help her retrain for a new career.
Federal Cuts Hit Maryland Hard
According to the Maryland Bureau of Revenue Estimates, the state has lost over 15,000 federal jobs, with another 10,000 expected to be cut by the end of the year. Prince George’s County, home to roughly 65,000 federal employees, has been disproportionately affected — threatening the economic stability of one of the nation’s most prosperous Black middle-class communities.
“We have to build an economy that withstands D.C., that withstands 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,” said Council Member Wanika B. Fisher (D-District 2), emphasizing the need for a more resilient local economy independent of federal employment.
Despite limited funding, the resolution marks a symbolic commitment to support workers and rebuild economic security in a county where federal jobs have long been a pillar of the middle class.
