May 25, 2019

Trump to cut 1,100 rural jobs

Rashaan Ayesh

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The Trump administration announced it will cut 1,100 federal jobs by eliminating a Forest Service program which trains disadvantaged young people in rural communities jobs including fire fighting, reports the Washington Post.

Why it matters: This is believed to be the largest layoff of civil servants in nearly 10 years, expected to effect Arkansas, Montana, Virginia, Washington state and Wisconsin. Members of both political parties were opposed to the plan, per the Post. Nine locations are expected to shut down while 16 are to be taken over by private operators and state governments.

Details: The cuts are expected to begin in September, and the Forest Service program — part of Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers — will be reassigned to the Labor Department. Job Corps programs in urban communities will continue to operate.

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