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Federal employees turn their backs on Agriculture secretary after relocation plans announced
The Hill ^ | 06/13/19 | Zack Budryk

Posted on 06/13/2019 2:18:42 PM PDT by yesthatjallen

Members of the American Federation of Government Employees turned their backs on Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue on Thursday, apparently over plans to relocate them from Washington to the Kansas City area.

Perdue announced Thursday that two of the Department of Agriculture’s research agencies, the Economic Research Service (ERS) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, will be relocated to be closer to major farming regions.

While Perdue has justified the relocation as a way to improve customer service and save taxpayers up to $20 million per year, some ERS employees have said it is a political move, according to the publication.

Specifically, some ERS staff have expressed suspicions the relocation is an attempt to shrink the agency and weaken its ability to conduct research that does not align with the Trump administration’s policy agenda.

The department retreated on another proposal to shift ERS within the department’s organizational structure to place it under the Office of the Chief Economist.

"While we believe there is considerable synergies and benefits to a realignment, after hearing feedback from stakeholders and members of Congress, USDA will not move forward with the realignment plans," the department said.

Employees at both agencies voted to unionize after the relocation was announced, according to Politico. They are expected to receive relocation letters Thursday and will be given 30 days to make a decision, according to the American Federation of Government Employees.

Union reps said employees were not given advance notice of the announcement and that they learned of the site selection via media reports despite Perdue’s assurances he would provide notice.

The relocation has divided Congress along partisan lines as well, with the four Republicans who represent Kansas and Missouri in the Senate issuing a joint statement praising the move.

Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) and Del. Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands), who hold key positions on House subcommittees with jurisdiction over the agencies, have said the process has lacked transparency, according to Politico.

Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), who has co-sponsored legislation to halt the relocation, said a USDA inspector general review “examining the viability of this relocation is not complete."


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: federalworkers
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To: yesthatjallen

No, they don’t care about farmers. Very little of their work has to do with actual agriculture.

Most of the appropriations for the Department of Agriculture are for SNAP, and other “food stamp” programs. The actual budget for farm related concerns is not a big piece of their pie or concern.

This is why when people go on an on about “welfare for farmers” in the farm bill it strikes me most people don’t know the money is not for the farmers, most of it goes for food stamps and related programs.

Go to page 8 I think it is and look at the pie chart for appropriations...

https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R45230.pdf


81 posted on 06/13/2019 3:19:13 PM PDT by Tammy8
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To: yesthatjallen

Still Not Sick of the WINNING President Trump!!!!


82 posted on 06/13/2019 3:21:43 PM PDT by fhillary2 (Typical White Lurker.)
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To: Grampa Dave

Retirement? You must be kidding.

Fire them, the sooner the better.


83 posted on 06/13/2019 3:21:55 PM PDT by BatGuano (Ya don't think I'd go into combat with loose change in my pocket, do Ya?)
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To: Fai Mao

Aleutians!


84 posted on 06/13/2019 3:21:57 PM PDT by Enterprise
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To: toast

Would get them some good barbeque out there too !


85 posted on 06/13/2019 3:24:46 PM PDT by onona (Mexico is a parasite)
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To: yesthatjallen

Well done.

Makes staff reductions easier.


86 posted on 06/13/2019 3:27:01 PM PDT by karnage
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To: Enterprise

Midway and Wake are more remote and there are already buildings, docks and landing strips in place.

Kwajalein Atoll would be another good location to relocate the “Fisheries” people


87 posted on 06/13/2019 3:27:51 PM PDT by Fai Mao (There is no rule of law in the US until The PIAPS is executed.)
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To: M Kehoe

Results would be immediate, their real function now is not farming. They are in charge of “food stamps” and related programs and that is where most of their work and budget goes.

Shut them down today and when the cards stop working, riots.

It really wouldn’t impact farming that much other than doing away with a lot of regulation enforcement and red tape.


88 posted on 06/13/2019 3:28:10 PM PDT by Tammy8
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To: Jim Robinson

Agree 100%. And their function for Agriculture is all about power and control.

Their most important function now is “food stamps” and related food programs. Most of their budget goes to that and that is what most of the work force at the Department of Ag. does.

What they do to farmers is regulation after regulation and enforcement of regulation. Forcing tons of paperwork and nonsense tasks on farmers and ranchers. They do very, very little in the way of help. Not worth it, and as you say not constitutional.

The pie chart on page 8 tells the story...

https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R45230.pdf


89 posted on 06/13/2019 3:35:19 PM PDT by Tammy8
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To: yesthatjallen

Each and every back-turner should be considered to have tendered their immediate resignation.


90 posted on 06/13/2019 3:37:08 PM PDT by MortMan (Americans are a people increasingly separated by our connectivity.)
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To: yesthatjallen
...some ERS staff have expressed suspicions the relocation is an attempt to shrink the agency and weaken its ability to conduct research that does not align with the Trump administration’s policy agenda.

So, the job of a federal agency under the Executive department whose boss is the President, is to conduct research that undermines his policies? They don't even bother trying to hide it anymore. That's the real government, that's the real ruling class. And you've just pulled their cushy Beltway environment out from under them. I weep for them. Well, over it now. Enjoy KC!

91 posted on 06/13/2019 3:40:05 PM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: ETCM

In truth very little of their job has anything to do with farming.

Most of their work and budget goes to “food stamps” and other related programs.

Look at the pie chart on page 8 of their budget.

https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R45230.pdf


92 posted on 06/13/2019 3:41:10 PM PDT by Tammy8
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To: yesthatjallen

Name the new building location after POTUS Trump and they will refuse to come to work.


93 posted on 06/13/2019 3:42:25 PM PDT by Kickass Conservative (THEY LIVE, and we're the only ones wearing the Sunglasses.)
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To: yesthatjallen

Fire these elitist scum


94 posted on 06/13/2019 3:53:38 PM PDT by Nifster (I see puppy dogs in the clouds)
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To: yesthatjallen

They should be put on a guano encrusted rock in the Aleutian island chain.


95 posted on 06/13/2019 3:56:28 PM PDT by SpaceBar
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To: SpaceBar

Off Adak somewhere


96 posted on 06/13/2019 3:57:16 PM PDT by combat_boots (God bless Israel and all who protect and defend her! Merry Christmas! In God We Trust!)
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To: yesthatjallen
then QUIT you slimy RAT bastds, QUIT!!!
97 posted on 06/13/2019 4:07:48 PM PDT by Chode ( WeÂ’re America, Bitch!)
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To: yesthatjallen

I think there are still some unused buildings at Ft. Knox, KY, since the Armor School there was closed that the Dept of Agriculture could be moved into.


98 posted on 06/13/2019 4:12:46 PM PDT by GreyFriar (Spearhead - 3rd Armored Division 75-78 & 83-87)
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To: Fai Mao

Perhaps Bikini Atoll?


99 posted on 06/13/2019 4:14:42 PM PDT by GreyFriar (Spearhead - 3rd Armored Division 75-78 & 83-87)
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To: yesthatjallen

This is just a move to the same job.

Jimmy Carter: one man ag economy wrecking crew.


100 posted on 06/13/2019 4:18:12 PM PDT by Zuriel (Acts 2:38,39....Do you believe it?)
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