.
Feedback

Sequestration Could Hurt Thousands of Federal Workers, Retirees in MN

Minnesota has about 59,000 federal employees and retirees. See where they’re located and which agencies they work for in Patch’s interactive table.

Washington, D.C., may be the hub of the federal workforce, but Minnesota has tens of thousands of federal employees and retirees who could be hurt by the looming sequestration crisis.

If the president and Congress can’t strike a deal by Friday would automatically kick in. That would force more than a million federal employees to take unpaid leave, according to the Washington Post.

Minnesota, alone, has about 59,000 federal employees and retirees. Hennepin County accounts for 16,780 of that total, or about 28 percent. Most of those are federal retirees or Veterans Affairs and Postal Service employees.

Use the table above to see how many federal employees and retirees Minnesota’s counties have. Just use the search box to select the county you’d like to see then click on “Details” in the results to see which agencies they work for.

When you’re done, share your thoughts in the comments section below about how you think the sequestration could affect your community.

Nancy E Gertner February 26, 2013 at 07:22 pm
I don't understand why rural counties have many "social security" employees and no postal employees.
Carol February 27, 2013 at 03:10 pm
I am more than ok with them being left in the lurch. It's not an insurmountable problem many of us went through similar job upheavals in 2008-2010 and many people <almost all boomers> have dealt with their retirements not going exactly as planned. It' stinks and won't be fun for them, but we live in a fantastic state and I'm sure individuals will be able to find other sources of income. It's not like they haven't had over a year's worth of warnings that this could happen so I hope they prepared.
Mike B. February 27, 2013 at 04:47 pm
As usual, the Obama administration is using scare tactics, threatening the programs people need most: safe air travel, strong national defense.
At no time during the four years in office has Obama cut the waste: Dept of Education, Dept of Housing, Dept of Agriculture (and its subsidies), and the Dept. of Commerce. By eliminating these unneeded and unwanted Cabinet Departments, a huge dent in the national deficit could be obtained immediately.
rob_h78 February 27, 2013 at 10:55 pm
Hey - I agree - Conservatives have been telling us for decades that government spending does not create jobs - so only a fool would believe that cutting government spending can cost anyone a job.
Government Spending Does Not Create Jobs - and Government Lack of Spending Cannot Cut Jobs. As for cutting waste - again agreed - however all spending starts in the House which the Republicans control and they are free to put forth whatever very specific spending proposals they want - no reason to wait for the over spending, spineless, liberals to cut spending - Conservatives have it in their power to propose big and specific cuts - they could simply put the programs and dollar amounts to cut on a white board and hold a press conference so the American people - well Real Americans - could rally behind them and force the Democrats hand.
Shawn Aune March 3, 2013 at 04:22 pm
Cuts are very necessary. Especially from the defense budget.
So are major tax increases on the wealthiest Americans. Capital gains taxes are the best place to start. Many people have way more than they need to live well. That would be OK in a world where resources are infinite but we don't live in that world. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPKKQnijnsM
Shawn Aune March 3, 2013 at 07:46 pm
From Sarah Palin Feb 26th...
If we can’t stomach modest cuts that would lower federal spending by a mere 0.3% per year out of a current federal budget of $3.6 trillion, then we might as well signal to the whole world that we have no serious intention of dealing with our debt problem. If we are going to wet our proverbial pants over 0.3% in annual spending cuts when we’re running up trillion dollar annual deficits, then we’re done. Put a fork in us. We’re finished. We’re going to default eventually and that’s why the feds are stockpiling bullets in case of civil unrest.
Heyitsme March 5, 2013 at 09:05 pm
I was a federal worker at a Army base 60 miles north of DC. Every year we heard this stuff...all they do is hold our paychecks and back pay us once the budget is passed. The temporaries and contract workers were laid off. Military members (my husband) were not paid for weeks but got back pay. Travel and extra stuff like supplies were cut. But it always worked out. This talk of mass personnel cuts is just that, talk.
Nancy E Gertner March 5, 2013 at 09:22 pm
During my time on active duty in the military we had tuition assistance benefits cut and changes that were timed to the beginning or end of the fiscal year, if Congress had not voted on a budget, and instead had a continuing resolution. I do not equate Sequestration (reduced funding authority) with continuing resolution (funding same as previous fiscal cycle).

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from Hopkins Patch? Find your Local Patch »

Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
barb June 19, 2013 at 11:01 am
The craft fair for this sat at Hopkins Activity Center has been cancelled more details in July.
James Warden (Editor) June 17, 2013 at 05:44 pm
For those who need some help dealing with coyotes, here are some tips from a national expert whoRead More visited the west metro in March: http://stlouispark.patch.com/groups/around-town/p/coyote-tips
Mike B. June 19, 2013 at 11:40 am
Coyotes are a welcome addition to the local landscape. I get a kick out of people who "run forRead More the hills" when they see these neat animals. Rarely, if ever, has a coyote attacked a human being.
Cathi Hansen June 18, 2013 at 01:13 pm
What area of Hopkins? That might help narrow down the area to look in....
Mary Ellen Dower June 8, 2013 at 10:48 am
I will be there too with knit baby sweaters, hats and ponchos! Mary Ellen Knits Gifts
Mary Ellen Dower June 8, 2013 at 11:13 am
And wool felted slippers too! Mary Ellen Knits Gifts
Orono June 7, 2013 at 02:29 pm
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO This guy is closer to communist than he is to democrat.
Orono May 21, 2013 at 08:53 pm
Mike B. The liberal belief system puts the job of caring for the needy on the government. JesusRead More said, love thy neighbor as thy self. I do a very poor job of loving my neighbor but the one thing I do try and do is give back. My wife and I give between 15 and 17% every year. We have been blessed with financial success and try keep that in mind every day. Also though, we give ourselves. Giving yourself to a cause is better (in my opinion) than just giving money. We give money because we can, we give our time because we should. I have a few liberal friends working beside me for our causes but, in general, the majority of us are all conservatives. Mark Dayton is a classic example of how the liberal mind works. Give the government the money, let them deal with those losers.
Mike B. June 1, 2013 at 03:29 pm
The Democrats are 100% responsible for increasing poverty in the state. Dayton and his DemocratRead More lackeys and cronies are driving out all of the job producers in Minnesota with their socialist, anti-business policies.
Sue June 5, 2013 at 09:14 am
Consider this- the (unelected) Met Council controls everything from parks, to trails, to transit, toRead More waste water. If a city wants to do anything they have to work with the Met Council and one of the FAVORITE expectations is that cities ADD "AFFORDABLE" or - Section 8 housing. While the recession hit the suburbs hard - the biggest influx or poor - are the indigenous poor into free housing
mike savick June 9, 2013 at 09:46 am
"Mike B" continues to look in the mirror and post about others. Emails show the Mr.Read More Hindin offered to produce his Minnesota drivers license at any west metro police station. The compulsively dishonest Mike B thing declined.
Michael Hindin June 9, 2013 at 10:03 am
Mike B. posted June 8, 2013 at 08:58 pm "The best one can hope for is that the jewishRead More (sic)person and the muslim (sic) will tolerate one another. Hard to tell what side is most at fault. Can't say I trust either one.... neither has what we would call Western Civilization values. "......NEITHER HAS WHAT WE WOULD CALL WESTERN CIVILIZATION VALUES"??? (Capitalization for emphasis) Without the contributions of Jews and Arab Muslims you would be still in the Dark Ages worshiping golden cows and there wouldn't be your version of "western civilization" Do I really have to remind you of a Jewish carpenter. Bearing false witness is prohibited by all Abrahamic religions.
Corinne June 10, 2013 at 05:25 pm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Name_calling
Orono June 3, 2013 at 02:18 pm
I totally agree with both points. Republicans have zero business deciding social issues. Democrats,Read More as Mark Dayton just proved, have zero business deciding important adult decisions that deal with finances and taxes.
Dan Johnson June 12, 2013 at 07:07 pm
Orono. You seem to assume my on-line fight for equal rights is a reflection of my entire life. ItRead More isn't. I've missed a few days, as I was kayak camping, without electronics. It also seems you are repeating the mistake of comparing atrocities, and then dismissing as irrelevant the one that seems less severe. This misses the point that no atrocities are acceptable. As I have stated repeatedly, all religions, as well as non-religious belief systems, promote the Golden Rule. Different sects of all of those religions also find excuses to ignore it. No matter what the belief system claimed as an excuse for anti-gay prejudice, refusing to treat others as you would yourself is a violation of every major ethical belief system, as well as a violation of the promise of equality in our founding documents and required by the constitution. Any person who espouses any belief system that requires hating and harming others, has earned the label of "hater". Having a belief system is not a virtue when it requires harming others. Yet, again, not all prejudice requires hate. It may be a result of a lack of careful consideration of the information, or simply a distrust of others who seem different in some way.
Dan Johnson June 12, 2013 at 07:08 pm
Orono. You said: "I hate liberalism." We have stated you are free to hate if and as youRead More want. But neither you, me, nor MB should be allowed to use hate as a justification for refusing to treat others as you would yourself under the law. MB makes it clear, he would use the law to harm all gay people severely, based on his hate.
Dan Johnson June 12, 2013 at 07:28 pm
Donald. Again, you resort to mischaracterizing Joyce's comment in order to support your desire toRead More reinstate discrimination in the public square. Tyrannies result when discrimination based on your choice of being offended, is allowed under the law. This is the reason the Golden Rule is found in every major ethical belief system as well as a requirement of our system of government. Your desire to harm others based on your personal beliefs, does not extend to the public square. Again, segregation is only one of many examples of the atrocities that result when prejudice and discrimination are enshrined in the law. As you said yourself, the law is needed for protection of equal rights when someone is offended, not when they are not.
Susan June 9, 2013 at 07:25 pm
Mike B., you must really be bored if you had to come back to this... I attack the ideology andRead More people that want to decide for everyone how they should live their lives. You know, those who would condemn or persecute those wanting something different that, BTW, is granted to them by way of living in a free country. It's time to try some new material, Mike, this is really getting old and tired.
fb.com/WCwatchdog June 16, 2013 at 03:42 am
I ride a sport bike... can I also have 130 miles of track to ride on in Woodbury like the bikers?...Read More oh wait... that's right, I have to put my bike in my truck, drive 130 miles to the nearest track, pay $150 in track fees, just to ride... Bicyclists, you don't know how good you have it with your completely free paved bike paths.
Mike B. June 19, 2013 at 11:05 am
fb... you are correct... The Lance Armstrong-wannabes demand (they don't ask; they are that type ofRead More obnoxious people) that all taxpayers pay for bike paths at astronomical costs per mile.
Michael Hindin May 23, 2013 at 12:48 pm
Simple answer G Wright is that "Mike B" manufactures it. IT has PATCH history ofRead More compulsive dishonesty.
Michael Hindin May 23, 2013 at 01:02 pm
People in general have a very difficult time discussing race. I nave gone to interestingRead More presentations sponsored by the St Paul Foundation. (https://www.facingrace.org/) Good people who are trying to understand are often afraid of saying the wrong thing. It takes a lot of patience and tolerance to engage in this conversation. It is often difficult to realize that even though many of our generation did not set up the situation, there are still many advantages built into being in the racial majority and change is painful.
Dan Johnson June 4, 2013 at 10:23 am
The divide of race has been America's constant curse. Each new wave of immigrants gives new targetsRead More to old prejudices. Prejudice and contempt, cloaked in the pretense of religious or political conviction, are no different. They have nearly destroyed us in the past. They plague us still. They fuel the fanaticism of terror. They torment the lives of millions in fractured nations around the world. These obsessions cripple both those who are hated and, of course, those who hate, robbing both of what they might become.” Bill Clinton
rob_h78 April 16, 2013 at 10:56 pm
After reading the comment from "RP45241", I went to www.greatschools.com and looked upRead More Washburn High School vs Wayzata High School (that is in Plymouth) and was shocked. These kids really gotta study more and they need every minute possible to study - they literally cannot afford a minute of not being in a classroom learning. http://www.greatschools.org/minnesota/minneapolis/1320-Washburn-Senior-High-School/?tab=test-scores http://www.greatschools.org/minnesota/plymouth/2228-Wayzata-High-School/?tab=test-scores Just a few examples of percentage of students meeting\exceeding standards: Math: Washburn 41% Wayzata 81% State Average 58% Reading: Washburn: 67% Wayzata 94% State Average 77% Science: Washburn 40% Wayzata 77% State Average 52% Yikes!!!
Jim Flaherty April 17, 2013 at 12:10 pm
Shame on the school district. It seems that one person is under investigation for possible misdoingsRead More and a bunch of students protest the possibility of his termination by skipping school. When the Principal follows policy and marks the protesters records with an unexcused absence she gets reassigned (fired). What the school should have taught the students is that the person under investigation is in a Union and will most likely be fine unless that person really messed up. That the Principal is not in a Union and will most likely loss her job for doing the correct thing, because the union has more power than the school district. What a lesson to teach, do the wrong thing and get rewarded and do the right thing and get punished. Good job Washburn.
Heyitsme April 17, 2013 at 07:21 pm
Skipping is skipping and unexcused absences are unexcused absences; protest after or before school.Read More That is what we did. (on the public sidewalk, so the school couldn't say they are trespassing). We had a favorite bus driver that was fired by the school board for a really stupid reason (it has been over 30 years ago) and students were upset and we protested before and after school. If you were not where you were supposed to be by the time class started you were marked down as unexcused absence. Teachers have a job to do and students have a job to do. Free speech is still allowed but operate under the school (and state) education rules.