New York hiring fired federal workers despite rising costs

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In a stark contrast to former President Trump’s approach, Governor Hochul has launched an ambitious recruitment campaign targeting federal employees recently dismissed by the Department of Government Efficiency, aiming to fill approximately 7,000 state positions. This initiative, however, is expected to add substantial costs to New York’s already expanding payroll.

Hochul made her position clear, stating, “The federal government might say ‘You’re fired,’ but here in New York, we say ‘You’re hired.'” She reinforced this message by unveiling digital billboard campaigns at Washington D.C.’s Union Station and Manhattan’s Moynihan Station, featuring the Statue of Liberty with the message “New York Wants You!”

The state’s workforce has experienced significant growth under Hochul’s leadership, with a 6% increase in full-time equivalent employees. Recent data from the state comptroller’s office shows the workforce grew from 211,042 to 223,760 over two years, excluding public authorities. The state’s payroll costs have been steadily rising, surpassing previous years’ figures of $19.3 billion in 2023 and $18.2 billion in 2022.

Governor Kathy Hochul just posted a video saying that New York “loves” federal workers and wants to hire more.

Currently, New York State taxpayers are funding the salaries of approximately 140,000 to 150,000 federal employees. pic.twitter.com/r9WKjcTz0V

— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) February 25, 2025

Available positions include several high-paying roles, such as a chief of staff position at the Office of Cannabis Management offering $173,664 annually, a chief diversity officer role at the Office of General Services paying $156,224, and positions for gender violence prevention specialists offering up to $106,454.

The recruitment drive comes as approximately 100,000 federal workers have departed their positions since Trump’s return to office, part of DOGE’s budget reduction efforts that reportedly saved $105 billion, primarily affecting agencies like USAID and the Department of Education.

Hochul, who is currently opposing Trump’s efforts to eliminate NYC’s congestion pricing system, criticized DOGE leadership Monday, specifically targeting Elon Musk and his team’s understanding of government operations.

White House spokesman Harrison Fields responded: “Leave it to the failed New York State bureaucracy to stack their payrolls with more bureaucrats, at the expense of the abused taxpayers of New York. Growing the public sector is not President Trump’s definition of job creation.”

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Ken Girardin from the Empire Center for Public Policy criticized the initiative as typical Albany politics, suggesting it caters to public employee unions’ interests. The State Assembly Minority Leader William Barclay expressed concerns about expanding government size in America’s most expensive state.

Hochul’s office defended the initiative through spokesman Sam Spokony, who said, “[It] will attract individuals with transferable skills and experience who suddenly find themselves looking for work.”

Frank Morano, a Republican NYC Council candidate, suggested this recruitment drive demonstrates New York’s need for its own DOGE-like agency, arguing against adding federal workers without civil service requirements to the state payroll.