Nevada state Democratic leaders have asked Gov. Joe Lombardo to hire recently fired federal workers.
The leaders made the request in a letter Wednesday. The letter was signed by House Speaker Steve Yeager, D-Las Vegas; Speaker Pro Tempore Daniele Monore-Moreno, D-Las Vegas; and Majority Floor Leader Sandra Jauregui, D-Henderson.
The leaders say that Nevadans can “greatly benefit” from the fired employees due to their “experience and expertise.”
The letter states Nevada has approximately 20,000 federal workers, but the estimated number of those fired has not been released.
This letter says the state Democrats “express serious concerns” about President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s mass layoff of federal employees.
The letter argues that these firings of federal employees put “Nevadans at risk and take away critical services” they depend on.
The Democrats also point to Nevada’s unemployment rate, which is the highest in the country.
The state Democrats say this situation will “worsen the rate even further.” The Center Square previously reported that Nevada’s current unemployment rate is 5.7%.
The letter says that if Lombardo takes action to integrate the fired federal workers into open state government positions, it would decrease the state’s unemployment rate.
According to the letter, governors in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Mexico have taken this step to help federal workers in these states obtain employment.
The letter encourages Lombardo to follow the governors’ actions in these states.
Furthermore, the Nevada Democrats said they looked forward to “constructive dialogue” and asked Lombardo to present “plans of action” to the state Assembly leadership by March 18.
Addressing the letter, Lombardo’s press office posted on X that the federal employees who are in transition can apply for state government jobs.
“State employment isn’t a political talking point for Governor Lombardo: It’s been his focus since day one,” the press office said.
“Instead of grandstanding, the Legislature would be better off focusing on their actual job: passing legislation for the betterment of Nevada,” it added.
