U.S. cancels plan to close control towers at smaller airports

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

U.S. cancels plan to close control towers at smaller airports

WASHINGTON | Fri May 10, 2013 4:28pm EDT

(Reuters) - The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday canceled budget-driven plans to close 149 air traffic control towers at smaller U.S. airports, two weeks after Congress passed legislation to end air traffic controller furloughs that had delayed flights.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said federal officials determined the legislation gave the FAA enough flexibility to keep funding the towers, which had been scheduled to be shut down in June to save money.

"This victory is thanks to a bipartisan coalition of senators and congressmen and women who came together to demonstrate that there are more responsible ways to cut spending than by compromising safety," Senator Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican, said in a statement welcoming the decision.

The White House announced plans for both the furloughs and the tower closures earlier this year to meet automatic spending cuts required by Congress under the so-called sequestration law aimed at reducing the U.S. budget deficit.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/10/us-usa-budget-towers-idUSBRE9490VK20130510

[Laurian]

1. But no such consideration for Head Start, Meals on Wheels or

other programs for underprivileged folks. Another gift for those who need it least.

I'm disgusted with EVERYONE in D.C.