GNO, Inc. and Louisiana Delegates Express Concern Over NASA Budget Cuts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 17, 2010
Contact Information: Darren Alberti
NEW ORLEANS — President Obama released the Federal Budget for 2011 this month, eliminating funding for the NASA Constellation program that was scheduled to ramp up after the Space Shuttle program is phased out later this year.
The phase out of the Space Shuttle program has already triggered significant job losses to the NASA Michoud campus in New Orleans East and surrounding communities. Local officials fear that the effective elimination of the Constellation program would take the region from a reduction to a removal of NASA-supported jobs in the local economy.
“The President’s budget gives us real concern,” says Michael Hecht, President & CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc., the economic development agency for the 10-parish region. “The Michoud facility has been an integral part of our regional economy for years. Right when we are hitting our stride with the recovery, the President’s policy move comes as a surprise, and if left unchallenged could be a big hit to jobs for our local citizens and related business activities. Of course, we will be working with our delegation to restore the program cuts.”
Both Louisiana Senators have signaled their willingness to help.
Senator Mary Landrieu – D, Senior Senator of Louisiana, responded to the 2011 budget proposal, stating, “The President’s budget request is just that – a request – and we should look very closely at any proposal that may set back the important work under way at NASA. As a Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will review and analyze the President’s Budget in detail and ensure that the Michoud facility in New Orleans East remains a viable player within NASA, whatever its future holds. Maintaining NASA’s presence in our state is essential to sustaining good-paying jobs, growing the region’s economy and the continuing recovery of Southeast Louisiana.”
Senator David Vitter – R of Louisiana also vows to engage the issue, “Rest assured I will continue to fight to save America’s space program from taking a giant leap backward and that I will always fight to protect the livelihoods of the hard-working people at Michoud, Stennis, and the other NASA facilities who make our space program the pride of our nation. I and several of my colleagues are preparing legislation that would continue and accelerate Constellation’s development and extend the life of the space shuttle until the Constellation systems are ready to replace it.”
The NASA Michoud campus has been an integral part of the US Space Program since 1960. Prior to the recent downturn, the Michoud Manufacturing Assembly Facility was operating at a 2,500 employment level, but that figure dropped to a few hundred when the Shuttle program was scaled back. With legislation passed by Congress in 2008, the previous administration proposed that the new NASA programs coming on line would bring back job levels to 1,500 or higher locally, with Michoud playing a vital role in future NASA activities. This promise was underscored in visits and press conferences by former NASA officials following Hurricane Katrina.
