|
|
KHON2: Proposed changes could mean taxing federal C.O.L.A.
May 29, 2008
By Tannya Joaquin
WATCH THE VIDEO BY CLICKING HERE President Bush has proposed changes to the cost of living allowance for federal workers. Thousands who would be affected by the new plan here in Hawaii don't see eye to eye.
Thousands of US Postal Service workers in Hawaii are among those who would be affected by a proposed change to the Cost of Living Allowance compensation. Due to Hawaii's higher prices, their COLA pay can be 25-% higher than their Mainland counterparts. What the President is considering is switching to locality pay, a difference because it's taxable income and considered basic pay for retirement purposes.
"Postal employees in the non-foreign areas realize that the price of goods has skyrocketed throughout the entire country and families everywhere are feeling the pain. However, postal employees here still pay a huge premium for domestic and imported goods, services compared to our co-workers on the Mainland."
Federal workers offered their testimony today to Senator Daniel Akaka.
"It's trying to convert COLA intact wholly to locality pay so they can enjoy the locality pay that their counterparts receive in the 48 states."
A dividing factor over this debate is age. Workers heading into retirement favor it to maximize their nest egg, while younger workers oppose it because it would become taxable.
"The Non-Foreign AREA Act is not to be seen as the last word, only the latest step forward in determining the best way to ensure retirement equity for federal workers in the non-foreign areas," said Hawaii Senator Daniel Akaka.
Cola is calculated comparing living costs in Washington D.C. Hawaii's Senators are proposing changes to the presidents' plan-- to address workers' concerns. http://www.khon2.com/news/local/19378419.html
Year: [2008] , 2007 , 2006
May 2008
- Government Executive: Lawmakers discuss expanding locality pay to areas covered by COLAs [May 30, 2008]
- Honolulu Advertiser: Army, Marine suicides rise [May 30, 2008]
- KHON2: Proposed changes could mean taxing federal C.O.L.A. [May 29, 2008]
- Maui News: Akaka: Reservoir ‘vital'
[May 29, 2008]
- AP: Senator asks VA to help DOD to address mental health problem [May 29, 2008]
- KHON2: Maui drought amplifies call for new reservoir [May 28, 2008]
- AP: Finally noticed - Filipino veterans are recognized for their WWII service [May 28, 2008]
- Honolulu Advertiser: Congress mulling switch in federal workers' pay plan [May 28, 2008]
- Federal Human Resources Week: OPM spurred to get going with federal hiring improvements [May 26, 2008]
- Delaware News Journal EDITORIAL: Real ID has so many pitfalls and not enough money to back it up [May 25, 2008]
- FilAm Star: Filipino Veterans Victory Soon? [May 25, 2008]
- Roll Call: Snapshots of History - Series Captures Asian Pacific American Voices [May 14, 2008]
- Honolulu Star-Bulletin EDITORIAL: War in Iraq has huge cost of dollars spent, lives lost [May 13, 2008]
- Honolulu Advertiser EDITORIAL: Veterans need better mental health care [May 9, 2008]
- Honolulu Advertiser: Kalaupapa close to a monument [May 8, 2008]
- Honolulu Advertiser: Senate panel approves monument for Hansen's disease victims [May 7, 2008]
- Military Times: Senate votes to continue health care panel [May 4, 2008]
- Military Times: VA adds $2 million for PTSD center [May 2, 2008]
- Honolulu Advertiser: French, German, Spanish not enough [May 2, 2008]
- CongressDaily: House Oversight Committee approves SES diversity bill [May 2, 2008]
- Washington Post: Showcasing Public Service [May 2, 2008]
- AP: Audit - Vets with brain injury still not getting proper care [May 1, 2008]
- Nichi Bei Times: Senate Finally Approves Filipino Veteran Benefits [May 1, 2008]
- eWeek: REAL ID Takes Senate Hits [May 1, 2008]
- Honolulu Star-Bulletin EDITORIAL: State had no choice on ceded land appeal [May 1, 2008]
|
|