Federal Managers Association (FMA) members and all federal employees continue to face a challenging environment on Capitol Hill. Despite the extraordinary sacrifices federal employees have already made in the name of deficit reduction – far more than any other group – these same employees remain prime targets for further sacrifice. In response, the FMA National Office – in consultation with the Executive Board, chapter leaders and Members-at-Large – has developed our 2013 legislative agenda.

As the association celebrates its 100th anniversary, the legislative agenda reflects a dedicated commitment to FMA’s mission and ideals: to advocate excellence in public service. The legislative agenda is aimed at providing managers and supervisors the necessary resources to maintain a strong civil service and improve the nation’s welfare, and fostering a work environment that will enable agencies to recruit and retain the best and the brightest to civil service for the benefit of the entire country. The legislative agenda targets long-standing issues of importance to FMA, but also reiterates opposition to the many proposals that negatively and unreasonably impact federal managers and the workforce as a whole.

In addition to fighting against additional extensions of the federal pay freeze, increases to pension contributions, and the use of a continuing resolution in lieu of a budget, the legislative agenda sets out priorities such as mandatory training, extending the probationary period to two years, Federal Employees Compensation Act reform and requiring agencies to integrate succession planning into their strategic plans. The legislative agenda targets important Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan (FEHBP) reforms, such as “Self Plus One,” pricing reform with the Federal Prison Industries, and advocates for fairness for feds serving in combat zones.

For retirees, the legislative agenda calls for reform to FEHB premiums for retiree health benefits, allowances for retirees to pay their health insurance premiums out of pre-tax dollars, and the inclusion of a Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance Program with additional options. Additionally, the 2013 issue briefs renew FMA’s long-standing support for a full repeal of the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP).

FMA National President Patricia Niehaus commended the development process and reiterated FMA’s advocacy mission. “Our legislative agenda contains commonsense initiatives and several cost-saving measures that will deliver on the promise to provide American taxpayers critical, unparalleled service as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. I look forward to working with Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle and all of our members to enact these important goals.” FMA will formally present the 2013 legislative agenda and issue briefs during the 75th annual National Convention and Management Training Seminar, March 4-6.

To read FMA’s 2013 legislative agenda in its entirety, please visit the FMA website, www.fedmanagers.org.