Virginia lawmaker calls for pay parity

Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., has asked President Obama and House Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt, D-S.C., to provide equal pay raises for military and civilian federal employees in fiscal 2010, citing concerns about equity and the government's ability to recruit a new generation of workers.

In his fiscal 2010 budget blueprint, President Obama proposed a 2.0 percent pay raise for civilian federal employees and a 2.9 percent increase for members of the military, saying the tough economy requires sacrifice from everyone.

"Our military men and women have certainly distinguished themselves throughout history, and particularly during this time of war, but we cannot forget the critical role civilian employees play in providing logistical support and other vital services to our military, as well as their important work for the taxpayers on essential government functions and services," Connolly wrote in a letter he delivered to Obama personally during a Tuesday visit to the White House.

Connolly, who won the Northern Virginia seat of former Republican Rep. Tom Davis in November, wrote to Spratt that he would be willing to author and advocate for pay parity language.

Unlike Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., the new chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Federal Workforce Subcommittee, Connolly did not specify what percent pay raise he would like to see employees receive. Lynch said at a union conference in early March that he thought a 3.9 percent raise could be a target for pay parity.