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Funding Proposal
Would Prevent FAA Furloughs
Members from the U.S. House of Representatives
are proposing to fund the FAA's operations
budget at levels requested by the agency,
which would save a furlough of employees
previously thought necessary to meet a government-wide
funding freeze. On January 30th, lawmakers
submitted a joint resolution that would
effectively keep most government spending
at fiscal 2006 levels. In a list of exceptions,
however, the bill proposes $8.33 billion
for the FAA's operations budget. This agency
claims to the revised budget will allow
it to meet its operational objectives for
this year, including its aggressive controller
hiring plan. FAA Administrator Marion Blakey
stressed the dangers of keeping her agency's
funding at Fiscal Year 2006 levels. In a
statement, she said the FAA is obligated
to increase wages this year, which FY2006
funding is inadequate to meet. Blakey added
that the agency would not be able to maintain
air traffic control or oversight staff at
current levels, meaning significant disruption
in the aviation system. The pending bill
still awaits passage by the House and Senate.
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