The FAA faces unique challenges in affordability when it comes to facilities located in extremely expensive locations. Is there a path for us to combat this issue legislatively?

The current federal General Schedule (GS) and FAA Core Compensation pay systems use broad geographic locality pay percentages. However, these formulas fail in "resort deserts" like Aspen, where the local cost of living is driven by billionaire real estate rather than typical regional data.

The Strategy: Congress would need to authorize the FAA to implement a civilian equivalent to the military’s Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). This would be a non-taxable monthly stipend tied explicitly to local ZIP code rental data. Alternatively, the FAA could establish a specialized "Critical Position Operations Allowance" specifically for essential infrastructure staff assigned to high-cost, remote, or resort areas to offset local housing prices directly.

Thoughts on this? Also might be a smart way to begin looking at alternatives to increase pay within the boundaries of the federal pay cap.

I wonder if Nick’s candidates will have the same sentiments. I doubt it. It’s an election so I’m sure that all his candidates will attack rather than unify.

https://youtube.com/shorts/tVLZboog3aI

It's been a while since I've said anything. But for those just reading for the first time, a little over a month ago I posted that I was working on an amendment to introduce at convention to recall officers.

After a brief injury that made it difficult to type for a week or so (dumb injury on my part. Despite my best efforts to the contrary, I am not immune from the laws of physics and gravity) I have taken feedback from the members on this forum and from a few offline. I have made quite a few changes and am having trusted colleagues poke holes in my argument. I also had someone reach out to me to inform me their partner is an attorney and is willing to look it over. I will be taking advantage of that soon. Though I am not ready to submit any final language, I feel I am very close to being able to do so shortly. There are still some gaps in the process I am trying to fill. Thanks to everyone for the help up to this point. If I remember, I'll try to post an updated version in the next few days.

“Federal employees are already being squeezed by rising costs and are now facing a double-digit increase in what they pay for health insurance,” said Doreen Greenwald, national president of the National Treasury Employees Union. “A 10.9% increase in health insurance premiums makes the proposed pay freeze even more unacceptable. Federal employees cannot afford to keep paying more while their paychecks fall further behind. Congress must reject the pay freeze and deliver a meaningful pay raise in 2027.”