Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Calling the FAA's decision 'unlawful,' Gwinnett leaders go the legal route to try to keep the facility's control tower operating.
The Atlanta airport -- the world's busiest -- would be affected by the closure of the FAA-maintained control tower at Briscoe Field, according to Gwinnett officials. Gwinnett leaders announced this week that they are seeking to join a legal matter that was initiated by Spokane, Wash., that is pending before the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Airports in both areas face the loss of their control towers due to cutbacks that have been mandated by federal budget cuts known as sequestration. County officials said Briscoe Field "diverts a meaningful amount of traffic" from Atlanta's airport. That relief would not be possible if federal officials follow through with closure of Briscoe's tower. -- How do you feel about Briscoe Field's tower …
Friday, April 5, 2013
All 149 air traffic control towers will continue operating until June 15.
(Editor's note: the following is a press release issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.) The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced today that it will delay the closures of all 149 federal contract air traffic control towers until June 15. Last month, the FAA announced it would eliminate funding for these towers as part of the agency’s required $637 million budget cuts under sequestration. This additional time will allow the agency to attempt to resolve multiple legal challenges to the closure decisions. As part of the tower closure implementation process, the agency continues to consult with airports and operators and review appropriate risk mitigations. Extending the transition …
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Public schools in Lawrenceville and across the county could be affected by cuts that took effect March 1, the Gwinnett County School Board says.
The potential loss of millions of dollars due to federal budget cuts was on the minds of Gwinnett County School Board members during their monthly business meeting Thursday in Suwanee. In a statement earlier in the week, GCPS Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks, said the cuts would cost the district approximately $3.4 million, including Title I money and allocations for special education. How do you think Lawrenceville Schools will be affected by budget cuts? Tell us in the comments below. It is uncertain when exactly the cuts, which went into effect March 1, will be felt by the public. But, the first nationwide impact could be felt Monday as furlough notices are sent out, according to ABC News. On Feb. 28, board members also weighed in about…
Monday, February 25, 2013
The control tower at the airport in Lawrenceville, Ga. is among those on an FAA closure list.
Should the massive U.S. sequester budget cuts become reality, Briscoe Field in Lawrenceville could be affected. The control tower at the Gwinnett County-owned facility is among more than 100 federal air traffic control operations that could be affected by the looming cuts, according to a Gwinnett spokesperson. The control tower at Briscoe Field is operated by the Federal Aviation Administration. And FAA Director Ray LaHood informed Gwinnett Authorities Friday that the tower could be closed, county spokesperson Joe Sorenson said Monday. However, Briscoe Field would remain open and operating even if the tower were closed, Sorenson said. And revenue derived from the airport likely would remain unchanged. Sorenson noted that the county derives…
Education, job-search assistance and child vaccinations are among areas in our state that would be affected, the White House says.
Just when you got over the "fiscal cliff" -- get ready for the "sequester." According to USA TODAY, the White House began warnings about the sequestration -- automatic budget cuts -- by issuing reports Sunday (February 24) on how the coming $85 billion in reductions will affect each of the 50 states. With the cuts set to begin Friday, President Obama is expected to cite the state reports as part of his effort to pressure congressional Republicans over the sequestration. In a statement, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said "surely" Obama can find a way to cut 2 to 3 percent from a $3.5 trillion budget. "Rather than issuing last-minute press releases on cuts to first responders or troop training or airport security, he should …
David Womack
8:08 am on Saturday, April 6, 2013
Why does the FAA fund these small airport towers vs. the people that use the airport? more ›