GOP lawmaker wants feds to take 2-week furloughs

[NNN0LHI]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2011/01/gop_lawmaker_wants_feds_to_tak.html

Posted at 6:00 AM ET, 01/14/2011
GOP lawmaker wants feds to take 2-week furloughs
By Ed O'Keefe

A Colorado Republican wants to cut congressional salaries by 10 percent and force federal workers not working on defense, health, homeland security or law enforcement issues to take two-week furloughs, figuring the cuts could save taxpayers about $5.5 billion.

Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.), who unveiled the plan Thursday, said furloughs are becoming commonplace at the local and state level.

"I want to make the U.S. government as cost conscious as the states," he said in a statement. "At least 24 states have enacted similar budget-cutting measures, while the federal government continues to grow and rack up debt." snip

Several GOP lawmakers introduced similar bills last year, but they failed to advance in the Democratic-controlled House. With Republicans now in control, such proposals have a better chance of advancing.

[Possumpoint]

1. To What End?

They don't have a snowball's chance in hell in the Senate. More of the same grandstanding.

[Crankie Avalon]

2. Another dishonest creep or just plain dumbass who's grandstanding against public servants...

This does a good job of explaining the phenomenon:

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/01/06/reich_public_employees/index.html

[emulatorloo]

3. How about we have GOP lawmakers take a 2 year furlough

They aren't contributing anything anyway.

[DrDan]

4. $5.5B - about 10 days of war costs

[FSogol]

5. I propose that Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.) take a bimonthly 2 week furlough until the deficit

is gone. :shrug:

[gatorboy]

6. Maybe we should cut all sanitation workers and let this guy start picking up the trash.

You know, because he probably thinks they're over-paid and all. I'm sure it will be enjoyable.

[Skidmore]

7. In Iowa, state employees took 7 days of furlough last year

to preserve jobs. This is happening everywhere.

[shanti]

9. in cali

we had 3 furlough days a month for 18 freakin months! this furlough crap is for the birds and another way to undercut the unions, imo.

[Skidmore]

11. We are hearing that Branstad is planning on laying off

any employee who has been on the job 6 months or less.

I'd like someone to address the issue of what this does to unemployment in the US in the absence of job creation in the private sector...because that ain't happening.

[Angry Dragon]

8. Let's start cutting congressional pay and benefits

[bullwinkle428]

10. Hey Coffman, let's start with you, buddy!

:eyes: