Prince George’s County offers support for furloughed, laid-off federal workers

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) — As the federal government shutdown continues to impact those across the country, the Prince George’s County Council passed a bill Tuesday to provide assistance to those most affected in the county.

Fifteen federal workers who have been laid off or are on furlough attended a public hearing hosted by the Council on Tuesday to make their voices heard. One of the attendees, Adrienne Burch, said she is glad the county is taking steps to help.

“I love that there is a sense of humanity with the Council, with them reaching back to help us, and they care about us, so we don’t get lost or forgotten,” expressed Burch.

The Council passed the Federal Worker Emergency Assistance Act to provide priority hiring for county jobs, as well as free workforce training and food assistance support for those laid off or on furlough, and others who lost their jobs due to federal workforce cuts made in February. 

Councilmember Wala Blegay (D-District 6) proposed the legislation and says it is the right thing to do to help those who are hurting.

“Now we have a group of laid-off and furloughed workers who might not even receive pay, so we are definitely trying to provide support, and the big part of this is the foodbank assistance,” said Blegay. “It is supposed to provide a database where they can find access to food that will be given out.”

Burch, who was forced to go on administrative leave back in February as a result of the federal workforce cuts, took the deferred resignation program in April and was forced to resign Sept. 30.

“I want to take advantage of the job training and job assistance when it is available, right now we are very food secure here at my house, so I won’t need that kind of assistance —but I am grateful other people who do need it, there is resources for them,” Burch said.