TOPEKA, KS — June 1, 2025
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly is extending a hand to thousands of federal employees terminated under the White House and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) downsizing initiatives. In partnership with the Kansas Department of Commerce, the Governor’s office on Friday announced a new web portal aimed at connecting displaced federal workers with Kansas employers — positioning the state as a refuge for experienced talent in the wake of historic cuts.
The landing page, accessible through the state’s “Love, Kansas” recruitment campaign, offers job listings, relocation resources, and quick links to benefit programs. It also promotes the Rural Opportunity Zone initiative, which provides student loan repayment and 100% state income tax credits in 95 Kansas counties — a clear effort to attract skilled workers to rural communities in need of population and workforce growth.
“As many federal employees find themselves in need of new opportunities, I’m excited to launch a web page that showcases all the great career opportunities Kansas has to offer,” Governor Kelly said. “With highly rated schools, low cost of living, and a competitive housing market, our state is ready to welcome new employees and their families with open arms.”
Commerce Secretary and Lieutenant Governor David Toland added, “Kansas is an incredible place. Since 2019, we’ve been enhancing our communities and elevating our economy… If you’re a displaced federal worker — or just someone seeking new horizons — look no further than the Sunflower State.”
A Silver Lining to a Storm Cloud
While the tone of the announcement is hopeful, the backstory is anything but. The federal workforce reductions initiated by DOGE have led to widespread disruption, especially in rural and agricultural states like Kansas. From shuttered USDA and NRCS field offices to empty VA clinic chairs and unpaid USAID contracts that once guaranteed crop purchases from Kansas farms, the economic tremors have been far-reaching.
Ironically, despite the sweeping layoffs under the banner of “cutting government waste,” the DOGE initiative has increased the national deficit. According to several economists, the cost of unemployment benefits, lost tax revenue, and disrupted federal services has outweighed any near-term savings. In short: the cuts were made in the name of efficiency, but the outcome has been anything but.
Meanwhile, Kansas — with its traditionally lean state budget — is stepping up to clean up the fallout.
Federal Cuts Hit Kansas Campsites, Farmers, and Families
Federal campsites in Kansas remain closed or partially staffed due to funding interruptions, stalling summer tourism and local economies. Kansas farmers, particularly those in contract with federal agencies like USAID, have reported losses due to canceled grain and meat purchases. And thousands of federal employees — many with decades of experience — now find themselves navigating job boards instead of contributing to national service.
The Governor’s new webpage won’t solve all of that. But it does offer one of the first comprehensive state-level responses to DOGE’s federal drawdown, a policy critics have called “slash first, explain never.”
The Bigger Picture: Can States Absorb the Shock?
The Kansas response is compassionate and practical — but it also raises serious questions about federal responsibility. Can states like Kansas, with limited budgets and aging infrastructure, absorb the flood of displaced workers while still managing their own priorities? And should they have to?
The “Love, Kansas” initiative may help draw some of these workers into new roles and communities, but it also reflects a growing trend: states taking the lead where the federal government has stepped back.
Where to Find the Site
The new web page for displaced federal workers can be found on the Love, Kansas website:
As the federal landscape continues to shift, Kansas appears poised to do what it’s always done best — roll up its sleeves, open its doors, and keep moving forward.
