Yeah, we’re out of money and the federal budget is a mess;
Ahead of expected deep cuts to the Defense Department budget, the Army announced Dec. 8 it will slash its civilian workforce by 8,700 jobs by Sept. 30, 2012.
The personnel cuts are expected to heavily hit the Washington metro region, as well as Texas – both locations are home to large portions of the Army’s civilian personnel. Overall, 37 states will be affected, according to a DOD release. The cuts will stretch across eight commands and agencies.
But wait! It’s an election year! Let’s give the people left who still have a job raises! That’ll appease the base;
The White House will propose a 0.5 percent pay increase for civilian federal employees as part of its 2013 budget proposal, according to two senior administration officials familiar with the plans.
The modest across-the-board pay jump would be the first increase for federal workers since before a two-year freeze began in late 2010. Raises for within-grade step increases and promotions have continued during the freeze.
The proposal, which requires congressional approval, differs from Republican plans supported by lawmakers and presidential candidates that would freeze basic pay rates for one more year. Some of those plans also call for denying within-grade raises. In recent weeks, GOP lawmakers have called for extending the pay freeze as a way to pay for a payroll tax extension.
Note the part I bolded above? If Boehner caves to this…
Authored By A TowDog
