For financially-comfortable feds, the threat of furloughs may be irritating, like a bad morning in traffic. Some are more irritated that politicians — after freezing federal pay for three years — continue to use them as a political football. Democrats want tax increases; Republicans want to cut entitlements.

Many veterans of the civil service have been through similar exercises since the 1970s. And there was that government shutdown in the winter of ’95-’96, which started off as a disaster but turned into a surprise paid winter vacation for all concerned. Except many contractors.

But for low-income workers and hard-pressed single parents living paycheck-to-paycheck, the possibility of a 20 percent pay cut is no laughing matter.

It is true that the furlough threat, as predicted, is weakening. Agencies that talked the toughest about being first with the most furloughs have now found ways — or wisdom — to minimize, delay or flat out eliminate them. That’s great. A new twist on business in Washington. With a twist …

It is still possible, in fact highly likely, that some people will still be furloughed, unless Congress and the White House do a deal. Probably for less time than originally announced. But furloughed nevertheless. So what do they do when their income drops 20 percent, even for a week?

It’s a little late to remind people what the pros advise: We should all have six months to a year of ready cash to pay bills, mortgages and for things like transportation and eating.

Because the furloughs when/if they come will be one-day-per-pay-period, — maybe one-day-per-week — most people can’t count on qualifying for unemployment benefits.

One place many are likely to turn to is FEEA. That’s the feds-helping-fed charity officially known as the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund. FEEA has helped federal and postal workers for decades. It offered free-ride scholarships to the children of workers killed in the Oklahoma City bombing. Some of those kids — including one who was born after the parent was killed — are still in college. FEEA also helped after Hurricane Katrina. After a major hurricane hit south central Florida, executive director Steve Bauer flew there — with a suitcase full of cash — and with the help of the military, Postal Service and Social Security Administration, delivered cash to families who had lost everything. FEEA was also there for children whose parents were killed in the 9/11 attacks on the Pentagon.

Today at 10 a.m., Bauer will be the lead-off guest on our Your Turn radio show. He’ll talk about what FEEA does and how it’s prepared to help furloughed feds.

Then, at 10:30 a.m. Sean Reilly from the Federal Times will talk about the evolution of agency furlough plans, the saga of postal downsizing and the push to eliminate Saturday delivery for first-class mail.

Listen if you can (1500 AM or online), and if you have questions email them to me at mcausey@federalnewsradio.com or call in during the show at (202) 465-3080. The show will be archived here.

NEARLY USELESS FACTOID

Compiled by Jack Moore

The electric cotton-candy machine was co-invented by a dentist named William Morrison in 1897.

(Source: Today I Found Out)

MORE FROM FEDERAL NEWS RADIO

OPM Director John Berry to leave when term expires
The director of the Office of Personnel Management is limited to a four-year term under the law. Sources tell Federal News Radio, John Berry informed the CHCO Council he’s not planning to stay on when his term expires later this month. With no deputy director in place, it’s unclear who will fill Berry’s shoes in an acting capacity.

Boosted by strong market, TSP funds make gains in March
After a modest showing so far this year, Thrift Savings Plan funds were buoyed by recent record highs on Wall Street and finished the month with solid gains. All five regular funds in addition to the target-date Lifecycle Funds finished March in the black for the first time since November, according to data provided by the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board.

PRC to analyze impact of changing Saturday mail delivery
The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) is requesting a vendor to create a report on the impact of discontinuing Saturday delivery service. This RFP comes despite congressional insistence that the Postal Service doesn’t have the power to alter its delivery schedule for first-class mail. The PRC is asking organizations and individuals to help its staff determine the impact of stopping street delivery of letters and flats on Saturday while maintaining the delivery of packages.

Federal News Radio Engagement Survey
Federal News Radio strives to provide our readers and listeners with the best experience possible every time they visit our website, listen to our radio station, or engage with us via our various social media outlets. Now, it’s your turn to tell us what you like and what you’d like to see Federal News Radio do differently. Plus, we’re interested in learning more about how you use our various platforms as we continue to improve them. Help Federal News Radio by taking our brief, anonymous survey. (The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.)

Copyright © 2024 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.