Trump administration proposes 8 percent budget cut at National Weather Service, reduction in staff

[Eugene]

Source: Washington Post

Trump administration proposes 8 percent budget cut at National Weather Service, reduction in staff

By Jason Samenow February 12 at 6:10 PM

Fresh on the heels of the costliest year on record for weather disasters, with economic damages exceeding $300 billion in the United States, the Trump administration has proposed cutting the National Weather Service’s budget by about 8 percent. It also recommends eliminating 355 jobs at the agency, including 248 forecasting positions

The overall budget decrease for fiscal 2019 totals just over $75 million.

The reduction in forecasting jobs is the biggest surprise in the budget proposal. Its justification is the 2016 Weather Service Operations and Workforce Analysis that found “there is a mismatch in some areas [of the Weather Service] between workforce and workload” and “that the current distribution of staff across the country can evolve.”

The president’s proposal directs the agency to reduce staff to increase “flexibility within NWS’ operating model” and “begin implementing a series of operational reforms aimed at increasing staffing flexibility to best match service demands with available resources.

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Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2018/02/12/trump-administration-proposes-8-percent-budget-cut-at-national-weather-service-reduction-in-staff/

[BigmanPigman]

1. Sure, lay off the people who we need more than ever

with Climate Change and increased natural disasters and skyrocketing emergency aid costs due to it. They already have stopped them from letting their research and info out to the public. Thank goodness other countries will be sharing their info with us.

[SergeStorms]

2. Short sighted madness.

"The president’s proposal directs the agency to reduce staff to increase “flexibility within NWS’ operating model” and “begin implementing a series of operational reforms aimed at increasing staffing flexibility to best match service demands with available resources".

Tell you what, Trump; why don't we "begin implementing a series of operational reforms" in your daily schedule? Let's cut your "executive time" by 75%. That will decrease your FOX "News" gazing down to 1 or 2 hours a day. Then we'll cut your 1 1/2 hour "lunch" time down to around 20 minutes. That's plenty of time for you to wolf down 2 quarter pounders with cheese and your "Diet Coke". Then we'll cut your nap time down to 15 minutes. Anything more than that will make you feel groggy and out of sorts.

So there! Think of all the extra time you'll have to devote to those "documents" you say you're always reading. you'll be the smartest person in the room regarding any subject! A good leader will never ask his underlings to do something he wouldn't do himself. Lead by example, Little Donnie Trump! You are a man of the people, correct? That's what you said in your campaign speeches anyway.

[msongs]

3. this should go over well in tornado alley and hurrican country. dems can use this.... nt

[RainCaster]

4. There is no global warming if you can't talk about the weather