While some officials have suggested limited cost containment, there are some programs, totaling over a trillion dollars, which neither Congress nor Obama seem to have considered cutting.
1. Cap the number of White House staffers & Czars: Czars have garnered a good bit of media attention over the past year, but little attention has been paid to the staff of these Czars. Currently, the Obama
Administration has approximately 42 Czars and each of these czars comes with requirements for office space, technology, supplies and staff that amount to billions of taxpayer dollars. Getting a grip on the czar’s expenditures would equal or even exceed the $100billion-over-5-years budget cuts proposed by Defense Secretary Gates.
Administration has approximately 42 Czars and each of these czars comes with requirements for office space, technology, supplies and staff that amount to billions of taxpayer dollars. Getting a grip on the czar’s expenditures would equal or even exceed the $100billion-over-5-years budget cuts proposed by Defense Secretary Gates.
White House Staffers have also grown in number over the past two decades with approximately $40 million in pay. And, while a recent White House report on staff cites 17 fewer employees than last year, the report does not take into account the full contingent from the Vice President’s office, from OMB staff or Czars.
2. Eliminate Agency and Congressional slush funds: When Executive agency programs are cut, the funding is reallocated to other, internal agency priorities by the Agency head. When Agencies have programs that end early
or have unused funds, these funds usually do not go back to the Treasury. In
fact, it is very difficult to return unused funding to the Treasury
department. The funding stays in a “slush” fund at Congress or at the federal
agency, unmonitored, for the most part, except the Congressional or Agency CFOs, and often becomes the “go-to” place for pet projects or to cover agency or
congressional over spending. These slush funds range from a few million to
several hundred million and are not transparent to the American taxpayer, nor
are most members of Congress aware of their existence or size.
or have unused funds, these funds usually do not go back to the Treasury. In
fact, it is very difficult to return unused funding to the Treasury
department. The funding stays in a “slush” fund at Congress or at the federal
agency, unmonitored, for the most part, except the Congressional or Agency CFOs, and often becomes the “go-to” place for pet projects or to cover agency or
congressional over spending. These slush funds range from a few million to
several hundred million and are not transparent to the American taxpayer, nor
are most members of Congress aware of their existence or size.
3. Cut certain bonuses for federal workers: Public service is not supposed to be a path to wealth. Currently, federal agency employees can receive annual retention bonuses and signing incentive bonuses that can go as
high as $50,000 per individual. At a time when unemployment
is at 9.5% all signing and retention bonuses should be eliminated.
These “bonuses” are one of the ways bureaucrats can augment a federal employee’s salary above the standard civil service pay scale. Retention and Incentive bonuses also carry no requirement for performance evaluation. Many federal workers receive retention bonuses each month for decades while employed by the federal government.
high as $50,000 per individual. At a time when unemployment
is at 9.5% all signing and retention bonuses should be eliminated.
These “bonuses” are one of the ways bureaucrats can augment a federal employee’s salary above the standard civil service pay scale. Retention and Incentive bonuses also carry no requirement for performance evaluation. Many federal workers receive retention bonuses each month for decades while employed by the federal government.
4. Eliminate phantom federal employees and their contingent slush funds: Federal Agencies never have on staff the full quota of employees allowed by OPM or their federal budgets because the hiring process is lengthy
and there is a continual cycle of hiring and attrition at all federal agencies.
However, each year, all Executive agencies place a line item in the federal
budget and allocate the payroll & benefits costs as if these employees
existed. The amount of federal funding allocated to these “phantom” employees
is in the billions. This funding provides a convenient slush fund within
federal agencies that can then be re-allocated mid-year to other agency
priorities not approved by Congress.
and there is a continual cycle of hiring and attrition at all federal agencies.
However, each year, all Executive agencies place a line item in the federal
budget and allocate the payroll & benefits costs as if these employees
existed. The amount of federal funding allocated to these “phantom” employees
is in the billions. This funding provides a convenient slush fund within
federal agencies that can then be re-allocated mid-year to other agency
priorities not approved by Congress.
5. Reduce the number of committees and subcommittees in Congress: Congress has approximately 23 House committees with 104 House subcommittees. The Senate has approximately 17 standing committees with 70
subcommittees. In addition, there are approximately 69 Joint (Senate/House)
committees as well as several Conference committees. Committees require staff
ranging from office administrators to chiefs-of-staff to general counsels to
research assistants. These personnel require office space, supplies, technology
and travel expenses to perform their duties. All of this occurs at taxpayer
expense.With fewer congressional committees and less staff, there might be less time and resources devoted to witch-hunts and show trials, and more effort spent
on the business of government.
subcommittees. In addition, there are approximately 69 Joint (Senate/House)
committees as well as several Conference committees. Committees require staff
ranging from office administrators to chiefs-of-staff to general counsels to
research assistants. These personnel require office space, supplies, technology
and travel expenses to perform their duties. All of this occurs at taxpayer
expense.With fewer congressional committees and less staff, there might be less time and resources devoted to witch-hunts and show trials, and more effort spent
on the business of government.
Congress and President Obama have been myopic, thinking that the primary way to improve the nation’s bottom line is by increasing taxes on American citizens. Yet, any good businessman knows that creating sustainable economic
growth requires both an increase in revenue and cuts in expenditures. After 17
months of out-of-control, bloated legislation costing trillions of dollars,
Congress and Obama have shown they are serious about spending. Now let’s see them get serious about budget cuts.
growth requires both an increase in revenue and cuts in expenditures. After 17
months of out-of-control, bloated legislation costing trillions of dollars,
Congress and Obama have shown they are serious about spending. Now let’s see them get serious about budget cuts.
You need to be a member of Fair Tax Nation to add comments!
Join Fair Tax Nation