The current year could see a significant reduction in state government positions if Republican legislators have their way. Current state employees could find themselves out of jobs as a result of the provisions set out in both the House and Senate budget bills. One major role eradicated in the Senate’s version of the budget is the chief scientist at the Office of State Budget and Management, a position currently held by David Yokum who has been serving since 2022. Yates became aware that his role was in danger when the proposed budget was publicly disclosed.
Intrigued by the motive behind the curtailed jobs, I reached out to Phil Berger’s spokesperson, the leading Senate figure, to shed light on why certain roles were singled out for elimination. Responding via email, Lauren Horsch, his press secretary, stated that the senators responsible for drafting the budget were given the mandate to identify expenditures that were either ‘repetitive or not essential for addressing our state’s requirements.’ The explanation offered little in detail, prompting me to approach Yokum for an understanding of what his role as a scientist in a budget agency entailed.
Seeking to offer clarity on his duties, Yokum stated that his main objective was to ‘support the budget office and the entire budgeting process in assessing what existing evidence there is regarding the effectiveness of various programs and policies. His role involves ensuring that these findings are considered in budget discussions. As such, whenever crucial decisions regarding the allocation of limited taxpayer resources are made, they are drawn from the most accurate and abundant information.’
Yokum’s job is at risk at a time when Republicans, both at state and federal levels, are carrying out an identical drive that is aiming to maximize government efficiency. North Carolina’s Department of Commerce stands to lose several employees under this initiative. Both the House and Senate budget cuts include the Culture and Community Engagement Office that was previously known as the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Office.
The Senate budget poses employment risks for the deputy secretary for clean energy economic development. Agency’s Chief Deputy Secretary, Jordan Whichard, expressed his worry about these reductions. The department’s website lists Jennifer Mundt as the person responsible for ‘securing energy-related economic and workforce opportunities for North Carolina.’
Jobs related to the environment are also on the hitlist of lawmakers. Both versions of the budget recommend shutting down the Office of Environmental Education and the Environmental Justice Initiative. There are employees at the Department of Environmental Quality whose roles include civil rights compliance and leadership in the ongoing Helene recovery who are also candidates for job cuts.
The positions and programs proposed for cuts in the House version, its leaders argue, are related to diversity, equity and inclusion – areas that legislature has flagged for removal. As the House budget singles out programs deemed to be illustrative representations of DEI, it does not include some of the job cuts proposed by the Senate budget. Consequently, under the House budget bill, the chief scientist at the budget office, Yokum, and the deputy secretary for clean energy, would retain their jobs.
Notably, the House withdrew its initial proposition to nullify the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Health and Human Services. This department’s work revolves around health disparities in marginalized groups. Representative Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth, commented that the restoration of the office came after various feedback was received.
While the budget is subject to modifications as it undergoes negotiations between House and Senate leaders in the upcoming weeks, the probability of some of the job cuts being implemented remains high given the unusually constrained budget year.
The series of potential job cuts across the state government and the subsequent effects could be seen as a radical shakeup which might influence the future shape of North Carolina. It’s evident that the reshuffling in state policy could lead to unprecedented changes in the efficiency and effectiveness of state government. The effects of these cuts, if made, are yet to be seen.
Simultaneously, these budget cuts also call into question the issue of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The state seems to be sending a clear message through its spending outline about which initiatives will garner support in the near future. The fate of these distinguished programs will hinge primarily on the negotiations between the House and the Senate leaders, which could ascertain if they survive or dwindle.
This year’s budget negotiation is sure to be fueled by impassioned debates as both sides grapple with striking a balance between fiscal responsibility and resource allocation to meet the state’s diverse needs. This tale of budget drafts and potential job cuts is indeed a demonstration of how economics, policy, and society intersect.
With the budgetary cuts looming, several state employees remain uncertain about their job safety. Many questions remain as to how these cutbacks will reshape the infrastructure of state offices and the potential fallout on both the morale and efficiency in government workplaces.
In these challenging financial times, rigorous budget assessments and the subsequent potential job cuts certainly point to a period of significant unsettling change within state governance. The measures taken to maintain financial stability often come at a cost, and in this instance, it seems that the price may be paid by many dedicated state employees.