Not all laid-off staff look for federal jobs

The Trump administration and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency task force have been culling federal workers across agencies while also threatening anyone who doesn't list in an email how they're making good use of their time

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Among the thousands of federal workers who've been forced out ortaken buyouts in the past month, surely some would be perfect fits for the many vacancies in Pennsylvania's state government. That, at least, is the thinking of Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, who recently directed his state to not only offer aid to laid-off constituents, but also to repost some job openings. He's catching up to governors in other states - from Hawaii to Maryland - who see opportunity, even as they're scrambling to help panicked residents.

The Trump administration and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency task force have been culling federal workers across agencies while also threatening anyone who doesn't list in an email how they're making good use of their time. The number of announced terminations tracked by global data company Statista exceeded 16,000 as of Feb. 25. That's in addition to the 75,000 federal employees who accepted buyouts offered by the administration in its earliest days. And President Donald Trump has directed Cabinet agencies to continue mass layoffs.

States are looking to hire those workers, though officials face challenges, such as offering lower salaries and having slower hiring processes.

In Maryland alone, Democratic Gov. Wes Moore estimates about 10,000 of his constituents could lose work in the shake-up. There are more than 5,000 openings in state government.

Pennsylvania has some 5,600 critical openings, from accountants to registered nurses, now described on a newly created website tailored to federal employees.

"This is an act of self-interest for the people of Pennsylvania, because I believe the commonwealth can benefit from the experience and expertise of these federal workers who have been forced out of their jobs," Shapiro said.