Week 3 - Current Event

Politicians in Washington push to cut pay raises and reduce workforce...

          A group of lawmakers, containing members of both the House and Senate and both the Republican and Democrat Parties, sent a request to the government agencies reponsible for controling government spending. This group of mostly Republican Representatives are asking for several reforms to the current system in order to reduce government spending. "Lawmakers recommended cutting the workforce by 10 percent through attrition, hiring one new worker for every three who leave, extending the two-year civilian pay freeze for an additional three years and eliminating step increases. In addition, committee members are calling for reforms to the civilian pension system..." says Emily Long of Government Executive.
         While this group is pushing for a reduction in the workforce and a reduction in pay raises, the group of predominatly Democratic Representatives on the other side is calling for something different. They say that the plan instituded by Obama last month, which puts a cap of $200,000 on the pay of many government workers, will do enough to reduce the outward flow of money. This is an optimistic look at things, but it doesnt seem to be very accurate. To put a cap on salaries for workers, many of whom already have salaries around the limit, wont reduce spending much at all. But the Republicans seem to be reaching too deep, and in doing so, they may create problems. Either plan isnt very good. But it is important to reduce government spending, and attack the huge amount of debt we have, and this plan will put a miniscule dent it the huge number.

http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=49073&dcn=todaysnews