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justaprogressive

(4,771 posts)
Tue May 27, 2025, 08:08 AM May 27

'They can't afford to live here': Deep red Montana town faces DOGE fallout [View all]

Harsh DOGE-related cuts are endangering a research facility serving as a huge economic driver for in Montana’s town of Hamilton.

Built in the middle of a conservative, blue-collar community of 5,000, Rocky Mountain Laboratories generates hundreds of millions of dollars for the local economy through spillover to other industries and retail. But NPR reports Hamilton is “a prime example of how the Trump administration's mass federal layoffs and cancellation of research grants are being felt in communities far from Washington, D.C.”

Former Rocky Mountain Labs researcher Kim Hasenkrug said he despised President Donald Trump's vow to let Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. "go wild" on health issues.

"We're beginning to see what 'going wild' looks like," Hasenkrug said. "These cuts will not streamline research. They will throttle it."

Forty-one Rocky Mountain Labs workers were let go or told their contracts would end this summer, and nine more took advantage of time served to retire early. The departures come as the Trump administration slashed at least $29 million in grants to Montana recipients, from university scientists to the state health department. Research has slowed, and NPR’s local affiliate reports scientists have struggled to buy basic gear. Researcher say even more cuts are planned for workers who buy and deliver critical supplies such as antibodies.


https://www.alternet.org/doge-economy-layoffs/
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Ravalli County MT - 2024 General Election Results: Trump - 69% Harris 28% hatrack May 27 #1
Someone call the Whaaaammmulance - Lokee11 May 27 #8
Hopefully markodochartaigh May 27 #28
Yet another fafo story. mwmisses4289 May 27 #2
"Sympathy" is between. . . DinahMoeHum May 27 #4
"Republican" is between 'reptile' and "repulsive" in the dictionary. OMGWTF May 27 #17
The "dirty" secret that Trump and his supporters fail to understand: the US is essentially a socialist economy Prairie Gates May 27 #3
Our Constitution is a socialist document. Bluethroughu May 27 #20
How Are You RobinA May 27 #29
Socializing both risks and profit. haele May 27 #30
Tripped over their own bootstraps and they can't get up NBachers May 27 #5
Join the 61 % of america that can't afford the basic necessities. Autumn May 27 #6
"Ha ha. Montana suckers. Ha ha." - Krasnov (R-Felon/Rapist) BoRaGard May 27 #7
What they voted for. Old Crank May 27 #9
Awww That's a Shame! Chasstev365 May 27 #10
Leopards are hungry Clouds Passing May 27 #11
They are finding a lot of faces to eat though - Lokee11 May 27 #18
And unhealthier due to the large amount of toxins ingested Clouds Passing May 27 #22
Yeah but think of the sweet tax cuts IronLionZion May 27 #12
Full NPR article and Kaiser Health Network reporting erronis May 27 #13
It's an economic fact of life ... it's never just about firing federal employees FakeNoose May 27 #14
MAGAts are S...L...O...W......L...E...A...R...N...E...R...S. OMGWTF May 27 #19
This is an article from a Montana newspaper. patphil May 27 #15
key summary DBoon May 27 #27
DFSOB'S patphil May 27 #31
Awww! They can always self-deport and collect $1,000 Wonder Why May 27 #16
This is what happens when you elect an asshole Blue Owl May 27 #21
Pretty sure Montana's property tax rate laws were written to keep the state white wolfie001 May 27 #23
Perfect! peggysue2 May 27 #24
But at least the border is safe... ananda May 27 #25
"generates hundreds of millions of dollars for the local economy" Midnight Writer May 27 #26
Not to defend my foolish neighbors but: None of them knew how much DOGE and Congress would gut the economy before the Ford_Prefect May 27 #32
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