In today’s news and commentary, newly proposed budgets for the Department of Labor and the National Labor Relations Board show staff cuts on the horizon, and an Oregon state law mandating labor peace agreements in cannabis dispensaries is permanently enjoined.
Proposed budgets for the Department of Labor (DOL) and the National Labor Relations Board released (NLRB) released on Friday point to drastic cuts in staff for both agencies. In yesterday’s news and commentary, Liana reported that a preliminary injunction currently prevents Trump from ordering mass firings of federal workers. But even if that injunction becomes permanent, Trump can still shed federal workers with Congressional cooperation. Bloomberg reports that the Department of Labor’s FY 2026 budget in brief requests funding for only 10,879 employees, down from the 14,855 it has now. That would amount to a 25% cut to DOL staff (already low due to more than 2,700 buyouts in recent months). The NLRB is in a similar position. Its budget justification proposes a 4.7% spending decrease, which would be achieved through staff attrition (buyouts and voluntary early retirement). Bloomberg reports that this is an effort to “avoid[] mass layoffs” while still “align[ing]” with the administration’s downsizing goals, making this a “qualified win” for the agency (if Congress approves). Needless to say, any reduction in the workforce of the NLRB will only make it more difficult for the agency to carry out its functions and add...
US President Donald Trump is among the loudest voices spouting disinformation against wind power. When he took office in January, he ordered a freezeon leasing federal areas for new offshore wind ...