Gazette opinion: GAO report demands immediate reaction

When people use the word “bureaucrat,” the context is rarely complimentary.

While government workers – bureaucrats, if you will – are a necessary part of local, state and federal government, they’re also an easy target of overheated politicians speaking of a bloated system, rife with inefficiency.

Sadly, a report last week by the Government Accountability Office, Congress’ investigatory arm, revealed that nearly 60,000 federal workers have been put on or used paid administrative leave for periods ranging from one month to three years. The same GAO report estimates that federal paid administrative leave costs U.S. taxpayers more than $250 million annually…

“Reducing mail delivery standards reduces Americans’ faith in the Postal Service and jeopardizes the service’s future,” said Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont, in a prepared statement. “This report shows what almost everyone outside the Postal Service already knows: the service’s efforts to reduce delivery standards are keeping families and businesses from getting the services they need, and the effects are being felt throughout rural America.”

Tester is a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which addresses USPS matters.

…

Read more here: http://billingsgazette.com/news/opinion/editorial/gazette-opinion/gazette-opinion-gao-report-demands-immediate-reaction/article_fe3558cc-8209-558d-a762-63725570722e.html#ixzz3HWtf15b5