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Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that it will delay the closing of 149 airport control towers until June 15, 2013. The first 24 closures had been scheduled for Sunday, April 7, 2013. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), who has fought the Administration to save these air traffic control towers from closure, released the following statement in response to FAA’s announcement:

“While airports and air travelers across the country are breathing a sigh of relief, the Department of Transportation’s decision to delay the closing of air traffic control towers is not a solution,” Sen. Moran said. “In order to protect air traffic control towers and preserve aviation safety across America, Sen. Blumenthal will join me next week in introducing legislation that will prohibit the DOT from closing any air traffic control towers – including those that are FAA-operated.

“Though my initial amendment was blocked from a vote, it brought together a bipartisan coalition of Senators who demonstrated that there are more responsible ways to cut spending than by compromising safety,” Sen. Moran continued. “Closing control towers is equivalent to removing stop lights and stop signs from our roads, and there is no reason they should be disproportionately targeted for an arbitrary and unfair 75 percent cut. It’s vital that we seize this opportunity to put politics aside and work toward a common-sense solution.”

Sen. Moran’s amendment to the Continuing Resolution to withdraw $50 million in unobligated FAA research and capital funds from prior appropriations bills and fund the Contract Control Tower Program was blocked from a vote by the Administration and Senate Democrat Leadership even though it had 26 bipartisan cosponsors – 14 Democrats and 12 Republicans.

Sens. Moran and Blumenthal (D-CT) also introduced an amendment to the Senate Democratic Budget Resolution that would make it easier to restore federal funding in FY 2014 for air traffic control towers slated to be closed by the FAA as a result of sequestration. The amendment passed the Senate by unanimous consent – a sign that Sen. Moran’s CR amendment impacting FY 2013 funding would have passed if it wasn’t blocked from a vote. By the time FY 2014 appropriations bills are passed, it may be too late.

A report published last summer by the Inspector General for the DOT found that the Contract Tower Program was one of the most efficiently run programs in the FAA. The report also showed the specified towers in the FAA Contract Tower Program were all operational in 2009, when the FAA received less funding than they will under the sequestration.

Kansas Air Traffic Control facilities that are on the final closure list include: Philip Billard Municipal in Topeka; Hutchinson Municipal in Hutchinson; New Century Air Center in Olathe; Johnson County Executive in Olathe; and Manhattan Regional in Manhattan.

Sen. Moran’s amendment is supported by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association and numerous aviation industry groups.

The Saline County Sheriff’s Office is asking for assistance in locating Jerry Wayne Watkins Jr.

There is a warrant for his arrest charging him for rape and aggravated indecent liberties in Saline County, Kansas. Watkins Jr. is a 20 year old white male, 5’7”, 145 pounds and has blonde hair and blue eyes.

Watkins Jr. was last known to be working as a welder for a welding company based out of New Cambria, Kansas and traveling to southwest Kansas or Oklahoma as part of a portable welding crew.

Watkins Jr. was last known to be living in the Dodge City and Ensign areas.

If you have any information concerning who committed this crime, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS, text SATIPS to CRIMES (274637), or visit www.pd.salina.org and follow Crimestoppers link to submit a web tip. You may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000 and you are not required to give your nam

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts today released the following statement on the March jobs report which shows the economy added a mere 88,000 jobs and the labor participation rate has fallen to the lowest depths since 1979, the last year of Jimmy Carter’s presidency:

“Unfortunately, we will continue to see disappointing jobs numbers until we finally address the root cause of the recession that hit our economy over four years ago. What is also worth noting is that people have simply given up looking for work at all.

“Crippling and misplaced regulations like Dodd-Frank have impeded our economic growth and added to uncertainty. After Obamacare, health care remains a huge expense to businesses and families taking money and jobs out of our economy. Our reliance on foreign oil and inability to develop a comprehensive domestic energy strategy is holding all sectors of the economy back. Finally, the lack of leadership from the White House on basic functions of government like a budget or addressing out of control government spending keeps businesses and consumers on the sidelines waiting for stability.

“Americans are concerned for their future, they are afraid for their retirement, afraid for their children and their ability to have opportunities and security. Many Americans have given up looking for work, and that is the reason for the numbers today. The next few months will show us more of the same unless we act.”

Senator Roberts has introduced legislation to eliminate regulations that damage the economy. He supports the development of the Keystone Pipeline and drilling for oil in the Gulf of Mexico and other energy solutions. He supports the repeal and replacement of Obamacare and supports a Balanced Budget Amendment.

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Kansas legislators are close to passing legislation reducing state regulation of telecommunications while beginning to phase out state subsidies for telecom firms.

The Wichita Eagle reports
the Senate voted 37-3 on Thursday for a compromise version of the bill reconciling differences with the House.

Passage by the House would send the measure to Gov. Sam Brownback.

Under the bill, some telecommunications firms could avoid minimum service quality standards or having to provide land-line service to all customers.

But the bill also reduces the subsidies for universal land-line service financed through a charge on customers’ bills.

Affected companies include AT&T Inc. The state’s largest phone service provider pushed for the measure.

Critics say the bill will hurt consumers. Backers say competition will protect customers.
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