 Update 12-6-03 Things are predictably quiet with both houses of Congress in recess but in the near future we can expect a few events of interest especially on the Senate side. The Senate majority leader Bill Frist is contemplating returning the Senate for one day, not reconvening, but to look for unanimous consent on some items, primarily the giant appropriations omnibus which includes Transportation and Treasury (us) to wrap it up before the New Year. The problem is he faces opposition from both sides. The fiscal conservatives in his own party (McCain etc.) and many on the other side are outraged at all the pork in the omnibus and are attempting to scuttle it going so far as sending the president a recommendation he veto it. Just look at the Medicare prescription drug plan (passed narrowly after huge White House pressure) and the largess of the energy bill (DOA in its present form) and you see the dilemma that not only are we in a record deficit with other countries (including China for crying out loud) underwriting our debt, but we are full steam ahead in adding massive amounts to it. It seems that, unlike a few years ago, the public is not demanding or paying much attention to budget balancing responsibility and Congress is taking full advantage of this, much of it with White House approval and encouragement, packing in funds for pet projects to help with next years elections. I am afraid we are going to wake up in a few years with a hangover after this party and realize we have seriously weakened our country and jeopardized future generations. Pay and Contracting Issues The omnibus is also being fought, with Sen. Byrd leading the way, because of some other issues pertinent to us. As you may recall the President tried to push initiatives changing overtime eligibility (according to the pay levels section we would not be eligible for overtime) and new rules monkeying with the A-76 process slanting it toward contractors. The house and senate then passed laws in Transportation appropriations refining these. In a pattern that should be familiar to you now, a small group in the conference committee under Administration pressure and veto threat, rewrote a “compromise” defying the intent of Congress. The proposed overtime eligibility changes were removed in the original bills were magically restored in conference. As to the A-76 process here is a general breakdown. Original legislation 1. Give union/employees the right to appeal contracting decisions to GAO. 2. Require agencies to submit annual report to congress on the number of jobs contracted the cost of the process and savings achieved. 3. Allow in house teams to submit bids in competitions involving 10 or more jobs and require contractors to show cost savings - at least 10% or $10 million to prevail in competition. 4. Prevent OMB from forcing employees who win competitions to re-compete for their jobs every 5 years. Modified conference language 1. Allows in-house teams of 10 or more to submit bids but the language is limited to only those agencies covered by the transportation, Treasury bill and not government wide. 2. Deletes the right to appeal to GAO. 3. Eliminates requirement that certain levels of cost savings be demonstrated and instead agencies covered by transportation and treasury bill are only required to consider cost as one factor. If this does not pass this month (which I don’t believe it will) the continuing resolution will mean we will initially see a 2% raise in January until the omnibus passes and is signed in to law. After that we would receive the full 4.1% (average) raise with back pay for the difference back to the first pay period. Not a bad deal considering the bigger impact of overtime eligibility changes if it went through as currently written. I would recommend you call your Senators and request they stand firm on the overtime issue because the alternatives at this point are pretty scary. In other news the FAA reauthorization bill is expected to be signed by the President soon. Also the first (and very preliminary) estimates for the 2005 pay raise points to 2.5%. Have a great week. Grant Anderson |
