Federal pay and benefits back in the spotlight
The Republican-led House is scheduled to hold its first hearing today on the compensation of federal employees, pitting the Obama administration and federal worker union leaders against conservative fiscal experts armed with detailed reports suggesting federal employees are paid too generously when compared to private sector workers.
The hearing comes as state governments are working to overhaul public pension plans and scrap collective bargaining rights for state workers and as Republican continue introducing proposals to curtail federal pay and the workforce. Among the bills, some GOP lawmakers hope to cut the federal workforce by 10 percent, implement a two-week furlough of most workers, freeze some pay raises, fire tax-delinquent feds, prohibit federal retirees from earning workers compensation payments and cut the pay for overseas diplomats.
Wednesday's hearing is the first of several House Oversight and Government Reform Committee meetings on these issues that are also likely to serve as tutorials for freshmen members less familiar with the complexities of the federal personnel system.
Disagreements are likely to begin today with Rep. Dennis Ross's opening statement. The Florida Republican, chairman of the subcommittee on the federal workforce, suggests that federal employees earned an average $101,628 in total compensation in 2010 -- nearly four times the average private sector salary.
According to his opening statement, Ross combines the Office of Personnel Management average 2010 federal salary ($74,311) with statistics suggesting the government pays 36 percent of employees' base pay health insurance and pension benefits, plus the financial value of the government's "generous" paid leave system.
Those figures are sure to irk OPM Director John Berry and National Treasury Employees Union President Colleen M. Kelley, two of the scheduled witnesses who have spoken in defense of federal salary levels before. The others witnesses are Partnership for Public Service CEO Max Stier -- a relatively neutral, nonpartisan, well-quoted expert on the issue -- and American Enterprise Institute scholar Andrew G. Biggs and Heritage Foundation labor policy expert James Sherk -- who've penned detailed studies on the size and scope of the federal pay and benefits system.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
McCain proposes to end safeguards on catfish imports
MBJ: Catfish industry ’stunned’ by McCain proposal
WASHNGTON — A proposal by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to repeal a law making all catfish safer for American consumers ignores numerous findings of banned substances in imported catfish products and favors inadequate food safety requirements, according to Catfish Farmers of America.
“It is stunning that Sen. McCain has chosen to protect importers and Vietnamese farmers over the health and safety of American citizens,” said Butch Wilson, newly elected president of the Catfish Farmers of America.
The U.S. Congress voted to move catfish inspections and regulation from the FDA to USDA as part of the 2008 Farm Bill.
A bill proposed by McCain and Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) would repeal the 2008 regulation.
In a statement announcing the bill, McCain alleged the “Food and Drug Administration hasn’t reported any safety or health problems with the Vietnamese imports.”
That is wrong, according to the CFA. The FDA has found in imported catfish from Vietnam and other nations potentially dangerous chemicals or drugs that are banned by the United States in farm-raised catfish, according to the FDA.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported last month a major criminal case of mislabeling and hazardous contaminants found in Vietnamese frozen catfish fillets imported by a seafood import company in McCain’s home state of Arizona, the CFA says.
WASHNGTON — A proposal by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to repeal a law making all catfish safer for American consumers ignores numerous findings of banned substances in imported catfish products and favors inadequate food safety requirements, according to Catfish Farmers of America.
“It is stunning that Sen. McCain has chosen to protect importers and Vietnamese farmers over the health and safety of American citizens,” said Butch Wilson, newly elected president of the Catfish Farmers of America.
The U.S. Congress voted to move catfish inspections and regulation from the FDA to USDA as part of the 2008 Farm Bill.
A bill proposed by McCain and Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) would repeal the 2008 regulation.
In a statement announcing the bill, McCain alleged the “Food and Drug Administration hasn’t reported any safety or health problems with the Vietnamese imports.”
That is wrong, according to the CFA. The FDA has found in imported catfish from Vietnam and other nations potentially dangerous chemicals or drugs that are banned by the United States in farm-raised catfish, according to the FDA.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported last month a major criminal case of mislabeling and hazardous contaminants found in Vietnamese frozen catfish fillets imported by a seafood import company in McCain’s home state of Arizona, the CFA says.
Huge Crowd Expected at the Blue Front Cafe for the 2011 Bentonia Blues Festival in June
Bentonia, MS, March 09, 2011--On Saturday, June 18, 2011, downtown Bentonia, Mississippi, a community with a population of about 500, will swell to an estimated 10,000, all coming to participate in an annual celebration of the unique country style of blues referred to as the Bentonia School. With Free admission, live gospel music starting at 9 a.m., activities and games for families and children, arts & crafts, food and more, this is sure to be an event everyone can enjoy.
The blues stage will kick off at 1 pm, including live performances from Big Joe Shelton, Terry "Harmonica" Bean, Mark "Muleman" Massey, Bentonia's own Jimmy "Duck" Holmes, Kenny Brown Band, Fearless Four, Dexter Allen ft. Tonya Youngblood, the Jarekus Singleton Band, Johnny Rawls, and national recording artist T.K. Soul.
The festival, founded in 1972 by Jimmy "Duck" Holmes, is one of the oldest blues festivals in the state of Mississippi. With Bentonia Blues fans coming from as far away as Japan, England, Norway, Canada, and all corners of the United States, the festival has become a favorite for visitors nationally and internationally.
Jimmy “Duck” Holmes is the last living practitioner of the famed Bentonia blues style made famous by Skip James and Jack Owens. Holmes, who studied directly under Jack Owens, is also the owner of the legendary Blue Front Cafe, Mississippi's oldest juke joint and the location of the annual Bentonia Blues Festival. He will delight audiences once again on the blues stage this June.
“I've never seen anything like it,” says Holmes. “In 2007 we had about 2000 here for the festival, but in the last couple years it has really grown. That's just amazing to me. I'm thrilled to know that my music and this festival is helping to keep the Bentonia style of blues alive.”
Yazoo County Convention & Visitors Bureau is seeking help from the community in being able to continue to provide this incredible event. “This event showcases our southern hospitality as well as our unique Yazoo County culture that brings travelers from across the globe to our little corner of the Mississippi Delta,” says Executive Director of the CVB, Tonja Ray-Smith. “But, it wouldn't be possible without our sponsors and volunteers.”
For those interested in volunteering and/or sponsoring, call the Yazoo County CVB at (662) 746-1815 or visit www.yazoo.org. And, a festival just isn’t a festival without food or arts & crafts vendors. To be considered, contact the Town Hall of Bentonia, MS at (662) 755-2281.
To keep up with the latest developments of the festival, become a fan of the Bentonia Blues Festival on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BentoniaBluesFestival
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