Two Thirds Of Americans Favor Pay Cut For Federal Workers

Sixty-six percent of American voters favor a proposal to cut federal payrolls by 10 percent over the next decade, a new Rasmussen Reports survey found.

The survey, conducted Nov. 8 to 15, found that a vast majority of the country favored the 10 percent reduction in federal payrolls. Only 22 percent were opposed, and 12 percent were unsure.

The finding runs counter to the Obama administration’s plans to increase the federal workforce and seek a 1.4 percent pay raise for federal workers. In 2010, the federal workforce swelled to its largest size yet, to 2.1 million people – of which 1.4 million were civilian employees.

Reducing federal pay by 10 percent would save the government approximately $25 billion per year, Rasmussen said. Add to the up front savings the estimated $80 billion in projected increased federal payroll costs and the savings from a 10 percent cut in federal payrolls could save the government an estimated $105 billion over the next 10 years.           
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