Commissioners were slated to vote by ballot as PSL went to press on approving fund allocations under a revised fiscal 2013 operating plan. The new operating plan is needed due to a roughly $7.9 million reduction in CSPC’s budget caused by sequestration (PSL, 3/11/ 13, p. 1) from $116.4 million to $108.5 million. However, beyond the required cuts, agency staff also recommend transferring $861,000 to “more urgent, currently unfunded priorities. Added to the $7.9 million cut, such reallocation would lead to about $8.8 million taken from various programs and other needs.
Areas that would experience reductions include:
- Salaries and expenses would fall $5.5 million including a reduction from 562 to 528 employees in the ceiling for full time equivalents. Vacancies would be filled up to the 528 limit based on “critical need” with revised allocation by office waiting until the FY2014 plan.
- Operating expenses such as travel, training, and supplies would decrease $616,000.
- IT projects would be cut nearly $1.2 million with certain activity deferred until the end of the fiscal year.
- Hazard identification analysis would see funds decline by $400,000, leading to deferred actions on bed clothes, standard reference material (SRM) cigarettes, carbon monoxide alarms, and spray polyurethane foam studies.
- Pool and spa education would lose $400,000, a 40% cut staff said would allow a “moderately scaled program.”
- Nanotech interagency R&D contributions would go down $500,000, still allowing CPSC to give $1.5 million.
- State aid on ATVs and pool enforcement would be deferred this year, saving $200,000.
The areas that would get increases totaling $861,000 are:
- Virginia Graeme Baker pool law would get $500,000 to fulfill its grant program requirements.
- Portable generator work on test methodology and market data would receive $213,000.
- Communications on imports in the participating government agency (PGA) message set and involving Customs and Border Protection and CPSC’s Import Surveillance Risk Assessment Methodology would get $56,000.
- Attendance and payroll-transmission system upgrades would require $92,000.
Other points in the briefing package include:
- A recommendation to add four voluntary standards projects – liquid laundry/dishwashing packets, microwave ovens, torch fuel containers, and trampoline courts – to bring the number of projects to 74.
- Work on 37 rulemakings involving mandatory standards.
- Additional funds to 22 areas if any surpluses occur.
Get the briefing package from www.cpsc.gov/Global/Newsroom/FOIA/CommissionBriefingPackages/2013/FY2013MidyearOperatingPlanAdjustments.pdf.
