Jan Meyers: “I cosponsored the Political Appointee Reduction Act, now being offered as an amendment, because I support reducing the…”

“I cosponsored the Political Appointee Reduction Act, now being offered as an amendment, because I support reducing the size of our Federal Government. This amendment will reduce the size of 'The Plum Book' and rightly so. I know everyone here is familiar with the Plum Book. It is published by the Government Printing Office and lists all of the positions available throughout the executive branch which are filled by Presidential and department or agency head appointment. The Plum Book which list all executive positions available, which are filled by President or agency head, used to be the size of the Johnson County KS, phone book. Now it is the size of the Manhattan phone book. Although some progress has been made in reducing executive branch employment. Most of these reductions have been made in the Department of Defense a result of base closings, reduced funding, and so forth. As we make the necessary reductions throughout the Federal Government, we should look beyond reducing the number of midlevel managers and support staff. Reductions should also be made at the top levels--and that is what this amendment will do. In December 1991, there were approximately 1,975 full time political appointee positions. In the past 4 years that number has grown to 2,800, growth of 40 percent. Ironically, this growth has occurred at a time when we are all committed to reducing the cost and size of Government.”