White House Plans 114,000 Federal Job Cuts Including Major Agriculture Reductions

President Donald Trump's administration is pursuing significant reductions in the size of the federal government, aiming to cut more than 114,000 jobs by 2026, which amounts to a 5 percent decrease from the final year of the Biden administration. Key agencies such as the Agriculture Department and NASA face substantial staff cuts, with some smaller agencies potentially losing all personnel. These cuts include reductions in federal support programs that provide critical rental assistance, housing repairs, and supportive services, which many local communities rely on to assist vulnerable populations, including the homeless and low-income residents. Such federal budget cuts could severely impact areas like Santa Clara County, where affordable housing and safety net programs are essential for people struggling to make ends meet. Meanwhile, local governments are also adjusting to changes in property tax laws, such as Montana's Senate Bill 117, which modifies how revenue from property taxes is calculated, allowing increases up to the inflation rate but limiting the taxable value of new construction. These fiscal changes underscore the broader tensions between efforts to reduce government size and spending and the need to support local governments and vulnerable populations.