States target fired federal workers in recruitment drives
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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul during a press conference at her Manhattan office in New York City last month. Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
New York launched a job recruitment ad campaign targeting fired federal workers at midnight Monday.
The big picture: Gov. Kathy Hochul's (D) "you're hired" campaign to fill 7,000 public sector roles follows similar jobs initiatives in other states aimed at people who were laid off in the Trump administration's federal government overhaul, driven by DOGE, which billionaire Elon Musk is the face of.
The latest: N.Y. has opened a portal with resources for job-seekers that updated early Monday, with the message: "If you have lost your federal job due to cuts, or just want to get out, New York says 'You're Hired!'"
- The message notes that N.Y. has more than 7,000 current job openings in a "wide range of career fields" and that the state "values its state workforce, providing a host of benefits, including a nation-leading Paid Parental Leave policy."
- Meanwhile, recruitment ads were displayed on digital directory displays throughout New York City's Union Station from midnight, per an emailed statement Sunday from Sam Spokony, a spokesperson for the governor.
Zoom in: Spokony said in a text message Monday evening some of the most in-demand jobs that were currently vacant included for engineers, educators, health care workers, attorneys, technologists and public policy experts.
- "We'll continue to update our online resources whenever new job opportunities become available," Spokony added.
What they'e saying: "Elon Musk and his clueless cadre of career killers know nothing about how government works, who it serves, and the tireless federal employees who keep it running," Hochul said in a statement to Axios.
- "Here in New York we don't vilify public servants, we value them and their efforts. So when DOGE says 'You're fired,' New York is ready to say 'You're hired' — and we're making sure talented, experienced federal workers know about the many opportunities available in our state workforce."
The other side: White House spokesperson Harrison Fields said in a statement shared with outlets including Axios,"Leave it to the failed New York State bureaucracy to stack their payrolls with more bureaucrats … Growing the public sector is not President Trump's definition of job creation."
- Representatives for the Trump administration did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment in the evening.
Zoom out: Other states to announce recruitment and support campaigns for fired federal workers include Virginia, which has launched a resources roundup page.
- "Come experience those powerful words of 'You are hired.' Take advantage of the resources that will help you find your pathway to that career of your dreams," said Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) at a briefing announcing the drive to promote the state's more than 250,000 open positions.
- In Maryland, Gov. Wes Moore (D) on Friday announced "expanded resource webpages across state government, partnerships to launch job fairs across the state, and directives for agencies to facilitate public servant transitions to new careers in Maryland," per a statement from the governor's office.
- In Hawai'i, Gov. Josh Green (D) signed an executive order designed to expedite the state's hiring process and attract fired federal workers, and the City and County of Honolulu launched the Federal-to-Municipal Workforce Transition Initiative.
More from Axios:
- How DOGE cuts might show up in the data
- The states that could feel DOGE cuts the most
- DOGE workers quit, refuse to "dismantle public services" on Musk's orders
Editor's note: This article has been updated with additional developments in N.Y. since the ad drive launched and with details of other states' campaigns.
