Sequestration Watch -- The Life of a Political Football Edition.

[Hugin]

Many thanks to cthulu2016 for posting this in GD and brooklynite in LBN.

The state-by-state impacts of sequestration

The White House has released state-by-state reports on some of the programs and services that would be impacted under the sequestration cuts that are scheduled to go into effect on March 1. Here is their breakdown by state and program:

A special piece in The Washington Post

IMHO, one of the critical traits of a Third World Nation at best or a Failing Nation at worst is when the day-to-day business of Governing and Social Welfare becomes a political football. A spoils system where the only people who benefit from being part of the National Community are those who don't need the help.

As always, if you have any comments or other sequestration related news pieces please feel free to post them here.

[siligut]

1. It would seem that a spoils system is what the Rs are looking for

Short-sighted idiots.

Sometimes it looks like this sequestration is bound to occur and then at other times, I have a little hope.

Mostly, I gather we are going to have some, it will then matter how long it lasts. One poster, stating contacts in Congress, said we would feel the pain until April.

[Hugin]

2. GOP Sequester Alternative Targets Federal Pay, Benefits

By Kellie Lunney and Eric Katz
5:01 PM ET

"A Republican lawmaker will propose an alternative to sequestration Thursday, putting off the across-the-board spending cuts with a plan that targets federal employees’ pay and benefits.

Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., drafted the bill -- the 2013 Sequester Replacement and Spending Reduction Act -- which includes provisions to extend the federal pay freeze through 2014 and increase current employees’ pension contributions by 2.3 percent over three years.

The bill ends the government’s Federal Employees Retirement System annuity supplement for anyone hired after Dec. 31, 2013. The supplement temporarily boosts benefits for qualified retirees who are not yet eligible for Social Security benefits. In 2011, about half of all FERS retirees qualified for the supplement.

Ayotte would eliminate cost of living adjustments for members of Congress if the Congressional Budget Office determines there is a budget deficit."

More Idiocy Here: http://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2013/02/gop-sequester-alternative-targets-federal-pay-benefits/61569/?oref=top-story

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I'll say it again... The Sequestration IS ALL ABOUT UNION BUSTING.

[Hugin]

3. Feds would contribute more to pensions under Obama’s deficit plan

By Kellie Lunney
September 19, 2011

President Obama on Monday released a deficit reduction proposal that recommends increasing the amount federal employees contribute to their pensions beginning in 2013.

The plan proposes raising the employee contribution rate by 1.2 percent over three years beginning in 2013 -- a rate of 0.4 percent each year during that time. "While federal agency contributions for currently accruing costs of employee pensions would decline, these employers would pay an additional amount toward unfunded liabilities of the retirement system that would leave total agency contributions unchanged over the 10-year budget window," the plan stated. The policy change in the contribution level would be permanent and would affect all federal civilian employees. The president also recommended eliminating the Federal Employees Retirement System Annuity Supplement for newly hired employees.

"The administration is proposing a group of reforms to better align these retirement programs with the private sector while still preserving the federal government's ability to recruit and retain the personnel that the American people need," said the report, which the White House sent to the congressional super committee charged with deficit reduction. The White House expects those proposals will save $21 billion over a decade. The plan is also expected to save about $20 billion from proposals that would modify the health care costs to military service members.

"The administration does not anticipate this policy change will negatively affect its human capital planning and management nor inhibit the government's ability to serve the American people," the plan noted. During a briefing at the White House, Obama called the changes "modest adjustments to federal retirement programs."

More Union Busting Here: http://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2011/09/feds-would-contribute-more-to-pensions-under-obamas-deficit-plan/34937/