2010 Pay Raise
President Obama has just sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declaring his intention to implement a 2.0 percent pay raise for civilian federal employees starting in January 2010, citing the economic crisis and unemployment. More to come, of course.
Updated: Of course, Congress can override this. And we're getting word that the Obama administration has promised to adhere to pay parity in subsequent years. But promises, of course, are simply that.
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Government Executive Editor in Chief Tom Shoop, along with other editors and staff correspondents, take a fresh look at news affecting the management and operations of the federal bureaucracy.
Obuma, here you go again. We have to practically freeze pay increases for the Feds to use the excess amounts to fund health care for those who don't or won't work and the continuous removal of regular American's freedom to make choices for themselves, by themselves.
BK Posted Monday, August 31, 2009 6:13 PMMore money for Acorn to push the Democratic Agenda
Eric Hodge Posted Monday, August 31, 2009 7:00 PMSo instead of giving federal employees who actually work a cost of living increase, the president would rather give it to those who choose not to work.
Phil Jackson Posted Monday, August 31, 2009 8:52 PMIt's call sacrifice - Those "Good Ole" Americans that allowed Bush and his buddies to run the country's economic power in the ground should be the last ones to complain. How do you know people don't want to work? People not working is a result of bad leadership for the past 8 years. That's right - allow someone to screw something up for 8 years, and then expect someone else to step in and clean it up in a matter of months. Everyone wants a quick fix, but no-one wants to sacrifice anything. Well guess what - "YOU DON'T HAVE A CHOICE" It will take generations of "Good Presidents" not someone's buddy to clean up this mess! If you want a larger pay raise go see Bush and his Buddies he made rich while he was pres - I'm sure they will be more than willing to reach in their deep pockets and give YOU more!!
SM Posted Tuesday, September 1, 2009 7:33 AMIt's nice to see that ACORN and SEIU rate higher than us. I guess he's got to keep his old friends happy since he'll be working with soon once more in Jan 2013.
John Posted Tuesday, September 1, 2009 8:18 AMAfter 8 years of piling on debt fighting a discretionary war, we have suddenly decided that fiscal responsibility is our nation's #1 priority. Universal healthcare suddenly needs to be revenue neutral, all of the previously unfixable problems with Medicare and Social Security need to be fixed, and taxpayers are demanding returns on investment on stimulus/bailout funds.
It makes me a little salty that fiscal responsibility is only now a concern, but I'll happily forego a cost of living increase, and concentrate on doing my job as well as I can, to earn advancement and leapfrog the bitter BKs of the Fed world. Even a 2% pay hike, with no link to performance, doesn't offer any kind of positive ROI to the taxpayer, and should be accepted without complaint.
TheBoreaucrat Posted Tuesday, September 1, 2009 9:10 AMAs a former federal employee of 40+ years I find this dispicable. The government workers supported Obama in the election AND they support his military. He may need them again in the next term, but with the runaway government spending and NOW, A CAP OF 2% ON CIVILIAN PAY, not sure he should expect their support.
JB Posted Tuesday, September 1, 2009 9:26 AMI get it. Our taxes wont go up, our pay will just be reduced. SS and medicare, too. Thanks for keeping your promises.
not surprised Posted Tuesday, September 1, 2009 10:05 AMWhen you logically think about a pay raise, we all would like one and appreciate one. In relationship to the economy, having a decent job, as being a federal employee most of us do, a 2% overall pay raise should be more than sufficient. I am a long time federal employee (35+ years) and I've seen good times and bad. If we keep everything in perspective we can see where we, as federal employees, stand.
Charles Smith Posted Tuesday, September 1, 2009 12:27 PMI don't normally write comments to these thing, but today while at the gym this guy walked over to ask if I voted for Pres Obama and to let me know that he had reduce our 2010 pay increase (both retired Military), I tried to explan that the reduction was a request for Federal Employee and not military. He still wanted to blame Pres Obama, but I asked him if he hadn't what would people be staying, I also reminded him that every year for the last 8 or 9 years our pay raises have been REDUCED by each president and why are we making such a big deal this time. I hope people understand the House/Senate has the final word on this proposal. The proposed Military Pay Raise 3.4% is still on the table, that what we should be waiting on.
Jimmie Posted Tuesday, September 1, 2009 3:04 PMAs a recently retired federal employee I can't understand why so many have forgotten how each year our raises were reduced. As a former government employee I am total disappointed in the SS OFFSET, you pay into the system but after retirement you can't collect because of your federal pension.
Caveat: My entire adult working career has been in the federal service, both military and civil service. Many of my co-workers and neighbors are California state employees who are trying to cope with a 14% pay cut due to forced furlough days and no job security. Many in my agency would prefer to forego the salary raises and instead have the additional funds available for our maintenance backlogs (Can you say visitor toilets that are clean and functional?)
proud fed employee Posted Tuesday, September 1, 2009 3:40 PMC'MON FOLKS - WHY SHOULD ANYONE BE SURPRISED THAT A POLITICIAN LAWYER IS GOING BACK ON HIS WORD? IT'S SIMPLE AND AN OLD ADDAGE - SAY ANYTHING TO GET ELECTED (ESPECIALLY EARLY IN A TERM BECAUSE TIME IS YOUR ALLY IN ERASING DOUBTS FROM THE PUBLIC MIND)...
steve simon Posted Tuesday, September 1, 2009 3:46 PMThe cost of living is at a -3% CS should be taking a pay cut to reflect the actual state of the economy rather than getting a pay raise. What barak has proposed is actually at 5% increase this year
dan m ketter Posted Wednesday, September 2, 2009 12:30 PMSM. I think it is funny how people like you blame Bush. If I am not mistaken I believe that when bush left, the deficit was about 1 trillion less and also if I am not mistaken the Dems have had all the power in congress for quite a few years. Go ahead and hate. That is what Dems are good at. GODless Tax raisers!!
Drew Posted Monday, September 7, 2009 10:56 AMYes, blame Bush... Look at the history, when Clinton left office the US had a surplus of money, Bush put the US in a huge deficit. Obama is is going more into debt, to try and correct what Bush did.
eddie brock Posted Saturday, September 12, 2009 5:48 AMPer your request. Also, please use my work email to contact me about Lorenzo. DaShawn.Biddy@dhs.gov
Aaron Posted Saturday, September 12, 2009 12:20 PMPresident Clinton actually had a budget surplus and made a payment toward the national debt. Also, under him the National debt clock was turned off cause they couldn't make it run backwards. Republicans can never say this, when Bush took office he destroyed the budget surplus in less than 2 months and its been spend spend spend ever since. Nobody should have anything positive to say about Bush handling of governemnt money.
David Posted Wednesday, September 16, 2009 5:31 PMYes Lets give it to clinton, he was kicked out of office but didn't leave, He screwed over his wife and country. He let the world kick our ass and didn't fight back. He hated the military. He didn't support the military. Oh yes he gave the country away. As reported the bush admin. had a deficit of 459 billion a record, until this year Obama deficit is at 1.4 Trillion.. Let see the buyout bailout of the mortgage company, The Auto, The Banks, and now he wants more to give away... I am a democrat but I will have to vote wisely next time. We need to get this country back on track and become a world leader...The Government does not need to be owners of any corp. If they can't make it on there own then let them fold. Put a higher import tax on item made over seas. let the American learn to self supporting on it own. We do not need the oil from other country. We do not need cheep made stuff. from China. And if we all remember the congress that Bush had was democrat control and had the final words ... So why blame Bush? Why blame Obama?? BLAME the one you put in office
Ted Bayer Posted Thursday, October 8, 2009 11:50 AMhave paying in to SS for over 50 years and now them tell me it is a entilement is't that like pay into your 401k plan for fifty years and when you go to get you money the company said or we just add a new office building so we don't have the money you would sue them for you money but we can't do that to Obama can we
martin ferrante Posted Friday, October 16, 2009 12:35 PMNo pay increase for S.S. but Congress works so hard for 3 or 4 days a weeks they get more money. Give people a break, that is a joke and a bad one at that. They all are a bunch of lossers.
Mary Zimmerly Posted Friday, October 16, 2009 4:26 PMNo raise this year Well my rent went up my
Ronald Halterman Posted Thursday, October 29, 2009 9:03 AMInsurance went up food went up utilties went up oh my wife wants more money for her hair, makeup, her club dues.
Na i dont need more money ill move in to the White House and let Obama pay for it all.
I could understand not getting a larger cost of living increase if Obama was doing it to cut the deficit, but he's doing it because he's giving all of the taxpayer's money to irresponsible corporations. If the government would create more incentives for those that work and pay for their own healthcare more people would do the responsible thing. Sadly it doesn't pay to be responsible in this country anymore.
Charlie Posted Friday, October 30, 2009 2:47 PMFor SM who said that the fiscal irresponsibility of the Bush administration was the cause of all this, I can't wait to see the results of the Obama Administration's fiscal irresponsibility. People thought Bush was bad and Obama said he was going to "change" that. He sure did, he kicked the spending machine into overdrive. Obama has not kept a single promise he made while on the campaign trail. He lied with every breath. I knew he was lying because I'm old enough to know what a Communist sounds like and whenever he opened his mouth, I heard a Communist. I still think he's a Commie bent on the destruction of this country as we know it.
SB Posted Sunday, November 1, 2009 9:39 PMDrew, SB, you're both idiots. SB, how about you go live in a communist country and say that to the communist leader! You'll get your toungue cut out and posssible killed! Drew, why don't you do some research on GWB! It's not impresseive in the least. Bush set a lot of negative records while holding office. Sounds like you guys don't reach much and are not very objective. Funny, just like the south!
TJ De La Gordo Posted Wednesday, December 2, 2009 10:34 AMIn response to SM dtd 1 Sept, if I recall correctly, the Obama reign ran up more debt in the first 4 months than Bush did in the last 4 years....
DS Posted Thursday, December 17, 2009 10:02 PMNice to see him giving a 2% incease to the "civilian" federal employees. Now can anyone guess what he (King Prez) requested for a Military Pay increase for 2010? Yep, 0.0% ~ guess cost of living doesn;t increase for those defending those civilans freedom (to include senators and congressman) Hummm, seems really strange doesn't it.
Randy Posted Friday, December 18, 2009 7:13 PMLooks like a lot of fools trusted the Democrates. But now it's our turn to make things right. Time to even the score. I know you wonder how can we do this? I have a few suggestions. Stop giving to the Combine Federal Campaigne' instead give your money to the people living on the streets. Stop buying Chrysler, General Motors cars and trucks,Stop buying Christmas Decorations, use your old ones. Maybe this will help the Obama bail out. HO,HO,HO, Spread the word. P/S Most foreign autos are US made.
Mike Posted Saturday, December 19, 2009 11:19 PMMiltary is getting 3.4% cost of living (cola).2% less than last year(sorry Randy look it up on Mil.Com) Feds Get 2%,Military retirees 0%, Disabled Vets 0%, SS 0%. Congress had a 13% approval rating last election. Why are the same fools still in office and making these choices for us? Boo hoo they had to work a couple of days longer, $174,000 (min. for a congressfool) a year is'nt enough.Most of them got big fat pork barrel deals for those extra day's
Brian Posted Monday, December 28, 2009 9:08 PMPeople are forgetting that the elderly, and the disabled Vets are not getting raises. I feel blessed for the 2 per cent I will receive because it could have happened to us. Workers feel they are NEVER payed what they think they are worth and that has been true through out my career as a Secretary (40). In this time and economic situation we must give a little to get a little. I know that it is political and there is nothing us small people can do. If I had to give up my raise completely, I would give it to the military. The spouse of a 100% disabled vet knows what happens to those guys and what the pay is. So lets thank our lucky stars and go forward.
Sharon Decker Posted Sunday, January 3, 2010 8:50 AMI like working for the federal government, while I didn't expect a rise at all this year. I would said that we're lucky to have a job, many people out don't by no fault of their own. If you're working be happy you have a job, while I think tax increase will eat the pay rise I have a job, which beat unemployment benefit.
bob Posted Thursday, January 7, 2010 5:47 AMWhere does Obama the idea that people on
J Faye Posted Friday, January 8, 2010 2:48 PMSS don't need an increase but congress does.
My mother is on SS and her Supplemental ins
has gone up and also presc. and many other
necessities. The government works for us
and it is our taxes that pay their salary.
Big government is out of touch with reality
and out of control.
In so many words, if you go to the right search engine and type in "DMV GA" it's possible that your query ("DMV GA") will come across my desk. It's my job to help the search engine find what you're looking for.... Most queries are only a word or two in length. This one just came across my desk (cut and paste):
Can you tell me why Congressmen got cost of living raises for 2010 and the disabled S.S. didn't
I doubt that there are going to be any pages that match this query...so I will attempt to answer it here....
Flash! Congressmen-- literally-- use legislation to write their own salaries (conflict of interest?) just high enough to keep "We the People" from pulling guns (revolting) against them, and Oil/"Big Pharma" companies pay UNGODLY campaign contributions (BRIBES!) and those on disability don't.
It's that simple.
Peter Posted Monday, January 25, 2010 11:50 AMAgain as usual congress votes themselves a raise while those of us retired military didn't receive any COLA this year. While I was still active duty congress approved themselves nice BIG pay raises while the military got small 2 to 4 percent raises, for what, sitting in a plush office while most of the military live at the poverty level and are on the front lines dying so they can live their "HIGH ON THE HOG" lifestyle.
Tracy Posted Friday, February 5, 2010 11:16 AMListen- I want the American people to join in a movement to DEMAND THAT "CONGRESS" "PAY" FOR THEIR OWN MEDICAL NEEDS -PAYING FOR IT OUT OF "THEIR OWN INCOME"-
archie Posted Wednesday, February 10, 2010 4:41 PMCONGRESS AND ABOUT 85% OF ALL FEDERAL EMPLOYEES SHOULD PAY FOR THEIR OWN MEDICAL NEEDS--WE COULD BALANCE THE "BUDGET" FROM THOSE "SAVINGS"-- "AND"
THOSE INSURANCE LOVERS WOULD "BUY" THEIR OWN COVERAGE!!!... PEOPLE YOU BETTER START "LISTENING"!!!
Shame on you all. I worked for all my life, always hard jobs not sitting on my ass at a desk. all my raises were on merit.
Harry T Posted Sunday, February 21, 2010 12:44 PMI was paralized at work in 2000 and havent been able to walk or work since. after operations on my spine for spinal compression of the spinal cord the best I will ever have is walking with crutches. I was a bowler,soccer player, and softball homerun hitter all is gone. You dont think I should get help. Shame on you all. Also when I worked I made 60K a year and had to pay all my medical bills myself. Now on Medicare I get 8K a year lost my home and I have to live with people who will take me in. And help me with daily living. Cogress gets a raise(4.7k) Fed employees get a 2% raise. Not called Cost of Living.
Medicare No Cost Of Living but (part d) cost are increased. Food increase, medication increase.
GEEZ, what a bucnh of idiots . . this is why our govt is so wasteful . . look at the responses from the workers . . not to intelligent to say the least . . hell I didn't even get a RAISE this year and you folks on here griping like the Pres can make miracles after 8 years of our country being run in the ground. My hubby and millions of others actually LOST theirs jobs and your lazies are up in here crying a raise? Be glad you got a job and to the idiot who said people DON'T WANT TO WORK . . . . seek some professional help you idiot!!!! Only republican's THINK people who don't have jobs are so because they don't want to . . what a bunch of idiots.
Chill Posted Monday, February 22, 2010 3:10 PMIt takes longer to clean the sheets than it does to wet the bed.
Check BLS.gov to see that monthly unemployment claims were in a nosedive up to Jan 2009 and have been in steep (very steep) recovery since then. (Jan 2009... That date rings a bell.) Check the same site to see the growth in major-sector industries since Jan 2009 (especially with the quarterly lag). Check your 2009 1099-DIV to see a 40% return on investments! If you think Obama is bad for the economy, I'm surprised you can read.
ncooty Posted Friday, February 26, 2010 8:24 PMEveryone on this site can not or will not see the big picture. Our Government is broken Odummy and the Dumucrats state they inherited this mess from Bush our idiot Cmmdr and Chief. Bush and the retardicans blame the preceding admin. Every one of these individuals held an office in the government that is based on checks and balances. And every politician sold the American tax payer a factious bill of fare for their own personal gain. These alleged criminals should be on trial for treason.
Alan Posted Wednesday, March 17, 2010 6:08 AMAnd in January 2010 a "FORM" letter went out to all SS disability folks stating the government had "decided" there was no cost of living increase therefore there would be no cost of living pay raise in their tiny little checks.
Sharmon Hardin Posted Tuesday, March 23, 2010 4:31 PMGrow up and put on your big boy briefs and your big girl panties and quit whinning about your raises! At least you received one! My husband didn't receive a raise last year and has yet to receive one this year! And there are many others like him! Not to mention the Seniors who aren't receiving increases. And, this "mess" we're in, is the result of mismanagement from the previous administration! Say what you will about Clinton's character, but this country operated under a surplus during his presidency. Bush, with the help of his menions and others who turned a blind eye to his spending brought us to this point. What has been done cannot be repaired in a matter of months or even a couple of years. Like someone else said, it'll take many presidencies to get us out of the quagmire we now find ourselves in. And TJ, not all of us in the South are idiots! I had Bush's number when he ran the deficit up in Texas, so I KNEW what kind of President he was going to be! Turned out I was right!!
Stephanie Jacob Posted Thursday, March 25, 2010 12:23 AMPeople who do not want to work are LAZY. Has nothing to do with leadership.
Michael Ford Posted Monday, March 29, 2010 3:05 PMCut the lawmakers' salaries...if they don't like it they can go get a job at McDonalds.
james Posted Monday, March 29, 2010 3:12 PMI am reading a great deal of rhetoric and not much common sense on some of these blog entries. Come on people. Of course the deficit has gone up in the last 16 months, it would have continued going up under Bush. The reason? The economy and emmense bailouts of banks. That reason? No accountability under the Bush/Chaney Admin. If the economy had been better, the deficit would have been less. This is common sense. Political rhetoric does not impress most logical people. Before I get worked up over a 2% increase, will somebody define a civilian government worker? Seems to me there are many of those out there. I'll bet you have a few around your neighborhood.
Jac Posted Thursday, April 15, 2010 4:33 AMi have been working for this 7years. but, last 3years the company want give anyone pay raise,but hiring new mangerment and hiring temp. and the temp. help make more than full-time been their 5year or more,what can we do?
mary Posted Wednesday, May 5, 2010 8:13 AMI just love people that post comments, of what they believe are facts, from BS talking points they hear from Glen Beck and fox news. Get your facts straight or STFU!!!
CC Posted Wednesday, May 26, 2010 9:07 AMAs a State employee (FL) I'm looking at my 4th year without a pay raise or merit increase. I'm one of the lucky few that still have a job. With the current political campaigns looking at cutting government jobs as their platform, this could soon change. Should Congress be immune to their own ruling for cutbacks. Why should Congress be allowed to vote a pay raise for themselves, and then freeze pay raises for those in government positions below them. An average salary of $170,000 for Congress seems bloated already, and the option to vote for their own pay raises on top this, during these tough economics times is truly a slap in the face.
John Posted Saturday, August 14, 2010 9:45 PMMy husband died for this country, my children nor I get that dic raise, which is fine with me. But not when the Government(Congress)gets raises for not fighting for there country they seem to be only fighting for big corporations and themselves.The Government bailout banks and the Government gets raises and in 2009 the Government got triple bonuses. And the American people are going to pay for it for a very long time. The Government has NEVER showed me they care for any one but themselves. It is fine to care about yourself but not with the American peoples tax money and not when it is hurting so many others in the process.
KEM Posted Thursday, October 7, 2010 12:12 PMSimply enough said, very very few in DC remember why they were sent there by all of US!
It's time for the 28th Amendment
"Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators or Representatives, and Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States ."
Kevin Posted Tuesday, October 19, 2010 8:48 AMCongress & fed employees get raises but NOTHING FOR OLD FOLKS ON SOCIAL SECURITY???
rich Posted Wednesday, November 10, 2010 1:57 PMHis Obamaship say the gov folks need it to protect against unemployment?? He already has his 'death squad" in place with starve the oldies.
Wow, this truly makes me wonder. It is a kind of surprise to me.
Ranae Dermo Posted Monday, November 29, 2010 10:52 AM