The cost of Donald Trump's deserted government

[DonViejo]

Sparse leadership across federal agencies leaves Americans in limbo.

By LORRAINE WOELLERT 04/27/2018 05:03 AM EDT

Job vacancies are fast becoming a singular threat to President Donald Trump’s administration, with a record number of openings that stretch from low-level appointments to the secretary’s office at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

While civil servants have stepped up to fill gaps, their power and influence is limited — and many senior career government workers have quit or retired since Trump took office, taking institutional knowledge with them.

Max Stier, who tracks federal vacancies as head of the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service, likened the administration to a government run by substitute teachers. “You might have a wonderful educator coming into the class for a day, or a week, or a couple of weeks,” he said. “But they get no respect.”

For millions of Americans, the consequences are real. Vacancies have stalled pay raises for thousands of federal workers. A mortgage rule to help home buyers has been stuck in limbo for more than a year. And the Internal Revenue Service is short bodies to push out regulations related to the new tax law, stymieing businesses.

more
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/04/27/trump-deserted-government-552971

[onethatcares]

1. and the Secretary of State

is missing.

WTF?

[DBoon]

2. He's not missing

He's just residing in Moscow these days

And I don't mean Moscow Idaho

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. Congress just confirmed Mike Pompeo.

Who had out globe-trotting on Trump's orders before he was confirmed. Bet the remaining staff at the State Dept. were surprised.