The end (again) is near … seriously, maybe

Some years it seems that every day in October is Halloween for federal workers and retirees. Minus, of course, the treats.

Oct. 1 is the start of the fiscal year. But it’s been decades since Congress (under Democratic or Republican control) has approved back-to-back appropriations. Year after year, the government either runs on continuing resolutions or rarely(as it did in 2013) partially shuts down. Agencies are told to be frugal even as Congress encourages use-it-or-lose-it spending. Since shutdown-related workers eventually get paid, the only losers are taxpayers. Politicians (at least some of them) realize the stupidity (and bad press) of a shutdown, but usually only after the fact. Many vow to never do it again. But like Homer Simpson after doing something especially dumb, they do it again. And again.

Even if if a shutdown is averted, again, you can bet it will be back along with a return of the usual-suspects-bills designed to whack feds.

This year the October suprise period has been extended to early December. That means anything could happen, but probably won’t.

A few weeks back the media was buzzing about the October government shutdown. Agencies issued shutdown procedures and blueprints. The media in great detail told what the shutdown would look like, who would be affected, etc. There were TV specials about the last shutdown. Then, in a move nobody (probably including Mrs. Boehner) saw coming, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) announced he was going to retire. The air went out of a lot of balloons. The shutdown was postponed until at least early December. If then.

Meantime, many of the usual suspects’ threats to feds have been trotted out. Again.

In addition to the Dec. 11 shutdown deadline, there is also the possibility of a debt default. Few people understand what it means or, as Washington Post columnist Robert Samuelson notes, why the mechanism — will Uncle Sam pay his lawful debts — still exists? But for feds it is considered a threat to the value of the beloved G-fund option in their Thrift Savings Plan.

There is also legislation pending to force all feds under the FERS program to contribute more toward their retirement. Also, although it gets less attention, a bill to cut their contributions. Odds of passage: slim and none.

Because of negative inflation, there will not be a cost-of-living adjustment in January for federal retirees. Still, there is a bill that would give them something. Odds of passage: slim and none.

There are more than a dozen usual-suspects legislative proposals out there that, if passed, would impact feds and retirees. So what are the odds?

On today’s Your Turn radio show (10 a.m. ET) we’ll talk with Katie Maddocks of the Federal Managers Association. She’ll bring us up to speed on the chances of a shutdown, debt default and other legislation aimed at feds. We’ll also get an update on brand-new, harmless-sounding bill, The Retail Investment Act, which NARFE President Richard G. Thissen says could be a threat to feds planning retirement. If you have questions (or comments) for them, send them to me at: mcausey@federalnewsradio.com.

Nearly Useless Factoid

By Michael O’Connell

The character Comic Book Guy is based on Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons. “He’s the way I think I look to other people,” Groening said.

Source: IMDB

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