77,000 feds paid more than governors

The Washington Times ^ | 6/1/2011 | Stephen Dinan

[libertycause13]

"More than 77,000 federal government employees throughout the country — including computer operators, more than 5,000 air traffic controllers, 22 librarians and one interior designer — earned more than the governors of the states in which they work.

The findings, from a Congressional Research Service report requested by Sen. Tom Coburn, Oklahoma Republican, were released at a time when public workers’ salaries and benefits are under scrutiny across the country as governments try to streamline...."

[xzins]

this is relevant in Ohio where new conservative Governor Kasich has been maligned for paying some of his staff members more than previous occupants of those same positions were paid. (Overall, though, the payroll was less.)

However, they’ve used those stats to vilify Kasich. The truth is that Kasichs 140 grand payscale isn’t as much a many school superintendents in our own state. And apparently, many fed civil servants.

[xzins]

this is relevant in Ohio where new conservative Governor Kasich has been maligned for paying some of his staff members more than previous occupants of those same positions were paid. (Overall, though, the payroll was less.)

However, they’ve used those stats to vilify Kasich. The truth is that Kasichs 140 grand payscale isn’t as much a many school superintendents in our own state. And apparently, many fed civil servants.

[Gene Eric]

>> Federal gov’t Unions MUST BE OUTLAWED.. even criminalized..

Any union that derives its revenue from tax dollars should be outlawed.

[familyop]

And both political parties must get their votes and the votes of all of the other federal employees—and state, county and city employees. Oh, yeah, politics: that’s where it’s at!

[FreeAtlanta]

Maybe, congressman Anthony Weiner.

[upsdriver]

"A congressional study revealed that 7,283 federal employees in Maryland made more than Gov. Martin O'Malley's $150,000 salary in 2009."

Actually, I'm ok with that. OweMalley isn't worth what he's paid.

I'm not okay with that. Absolutely no federal employee should be making that kind of money.

[glock rocks]

The Federal government pays an interior designer for what?

To paint nice little flowers on the shower stalls. Now go on in. You can leave your jewelry here... there's soap inside.

[PAR35]

I'm not okay with that. Absolutely no federal employee should be making that kind of money.

So where do you want to start? Let's try an easy one. Cut pay for MDs at the VA hospitals to minimum wage. And while we are at it, the CDC as well.

Where do you want to cut next?

[glock rocks]

Hell yes. Bears repeating:


Any union that derives its revenue from tax dollars should be outlawed.


anyone here remember PATCO?

[glock rocks]

There are junior high principals here that make 40K more than I do. Who knew? It’s total Bravo Sierra. Doctors deserve doctor’s wages, not freekin letter carriers!

[PAR35]

Check out what school district superintendents are making if you want to be shocked. And any state where the college football coach isn’t making 10x what the governor is getting (above the table) isn’t much of a state.

Folks run for governor for the power and honor, not the paycheck. (OK, some of them are in it for the graft.)

[hosepipe]

[ Any union that derives its revenue from tax dollars should be outlawed. ]

Talk about a conflict of interest.. Federal and even State and Local government Unions are conflicts of interest..

Government contractors (and sub-contractors) supported by PACs or Lobbyists are also conflicts of interest.. They are all citizens and taxpayers.. -OR- should be...

[ecomcon]

Hah!

[Free_in_Alabama]

Please don't inject reason in the discussion. I'm an Engineering Manager for DOD. I manage/lead about 50 government and contractor engineers. I made more money 8 years ago when I was a grunt engineer in private sector. I was doing this at a GS-13 salary up until recently. I came to DOD because of the unique lab I would be working. Seemed like a good idea at the time I took the job. Now i am in management and the money still isn't as good as our regular engineering contractors that support us. It was my choice and I don't regret the decision. I'm getting to do some very useful stuff for the war fighter but the money is about 25K less. I had better benefits at every company I worked for previously compared to the DOD. So that's BS.

Maybe some other areas the government over pays but it isn't in engineering. Based on my time of service and how bad the economy is I have a feeling I will see a RIF in 3-5 years. I have the death nail on my resume now - Government Worker. I feel very pessimistic about everyones future.

I know there are bad government employees (10%) and in private sector I would say (3%-5%) are worthless. So 2 to 3 times more dumb asses running around at DOD. I'm sure its worse (MUCH WORSE) in those areas that are positively unconstitutional in their scope (Dept of Energy, Education, ...)

I don't take it personal when everyone bashes Govt employees. I just picture the dumb ass down the hall that “works” 3 hours a day and bitches about how busy she is and figure everyone is talking about her. :)

[takenoprisoner]

More than 77,000 federal government employees throughout the country — including computer operators, more than 5,000 air traffic controllers, 22 librarians and one interior designer — earned more than the governors of the states in which they work.

When it comes to salary, benefits, vacations, holidays, sick days, and retirement, the fed is the place to be.

All courtesy of the US Taxpayer, who pays them big time, while they configure ways, and means, to screw us, royally.

When it comes to cuts, federal employees, and congress, should be at the top of the list. Along with BS foreign aid, and the freeloaders, including illegals, who drain the system.

But no, congress wants to cut medicare and social security first. Royally screwing all the folks who have paid in, over a lifetime.

There is something very very wrong with this picture.

[KTM rider]

can I claim 77,000 dependents on my tax return this year ?

[upsdriver]

So where do you want to start? Let's try an easy one. Cut pay for MDs at the VA hospitals to minimum wage. And while we are at it, the CDC as well.

Where do you want to cut next?

First of all, I'd close down the VA hospitals.

[conservativebuckeye]

Yes, and don’t forget about the retire rehire scam in Ohio that administrators take advantage of. They get their salary for being a Superintendent and also collect their penchant.

[mn-bush-man]

Wow!

[mom4melody]

I’m in the same boat as you.

I left (lost, actually) a great private sector job in 2002.

I now work for the VA - and just now, in 2011, have managed to match the salary I had in 2002. My current job is much more complex and technical then my private sector job ever was, for the whopping salary of $49,000.

As for the comments about how great Fed benefits are - really? The health insurance is so expensive we use my husbands, Holidays and vacation are just normal - I had more at my private sector job. What other benefits are there? We can’t even get coffee for a department staff meeting. I buy my own pens and planner, and folks who telework pay for their own internet. My private sector company paid for all of that.

My office is an old nasty building that doesn’t even have central air. There is so much work and so few staff everyone in my office takes work home (we don’t get OT either).

People really have no idea what they’re talking about when they start whinning about how great Federal employees have it.

Do I think there are useless employees, useless jobs and even useless agencies? Yes. But the broad brush sweeping all of us as lazy, underworked, overpaid rubes is way off base.