Countdown: Budget gridlock, public employees’ union rights

Host Francis Rose counts down the top federal news stories of the week with Lena Trudeau of the National Academy of Public Administration and Al Burman of Jeffe...

Today’s guests on the Federal News Countdown are:
Al Burman, President, Jefferson Consulting
Lena Trudeau, Vice President, National Academy for Public Administration

Al Burman’s stories
#3 The rocky road to reorganization, from Nixon to Obama
From Government Executive:

Government reorganization efforts are almost always unsuccessful and virtually never save taxpayers money, a host of public management experts said Tuesday, outlining likely obstacles for President Obama’s plan to streamline federal operations.

#2 OMB not moving to implement ‘high road’ contracting policy
From Government Executive:

A controversial plan that would provide contractors that pay their employees higher wages and benefits a leg up when bidding for contracts is not currently under active consideration for implementation by the White House, according to President Obama’s nominee to serve as deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget.

#1 Blaming Democrats’ ‘lack of action,’ House GOP prepares a second stopgap
From The Hill:

House GOP Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) says Republicans are preparing to move a second short-term funding measure to avert a potential government shutdown.

Lena Trudeau’s stories
#3 With Democrats absent, Republicans advance collective bargaining changes
From Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Madison — With Democrats still in Illinois, the state Senate abruptly voted Wednesday night to eliminate collective bargaining provisions for most public workers that have stood for decades, sending a flood of angry protesters into the Capitol.

#2 Battle royal over federal worker pay
From Washington Post:

Rep. Jason Chaffetz, perhaps gearing up for a run at the Senate seat now occupied by fellow Utah Republican Orrin G. Hatch, vigorously challenged Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry on savings expected to be generated by the two-year federal pay freeze – a freeze Republicans might seek to strengthen by including certain increases that are now exempt.

#1 Rival Bills to Keep the Government Running Fail in Senate
From The New York Times:

The Senate on Wednesday dismissed competing plans to impose new spending cuts and finance the government through Sept. 30, forcing top lawmakers and the Obama administration back to their search for a way out of the budget stalemate.

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