EPA to offer buyouts, early retirement benefits to shrink workforce
The EPA, facing a 31-percent cut in funding, has set a goal of downsizing its workforce by Sept. 30, according to a memo given to employees. Government Executive said the agency "will continue a freeze on external hiring and begin offering early retirement and buyouts," although details were not immediately clear.
Small government, anti-waste groups want to slash farm program and crop insurance
A coalition of small-government, anti-tax, and anti-waste groups says the 2018 farm law should abolish many of the subsidies now available to producers and "only provide risk-related assistance for uncontrollable natural events," such as major crop losses. "Farmers — especially those with operations with a million dollars or more in sales that account for most agricultural production — are more than capable of competing in the marketplace," say the 15 groups in a letter to lawmakers.