Nolan Visits 148th, Talks Budget Cuts
Posted at: 03/02/2013 6:18 PM
| Updated at: 03/02/2013 6:43 PM
By: Travis Dill
tdill@wdio.com
Congressman Rick Nolan visited the 148th Fighter Wing on Saturday. He said the sequester cuts will have a drastic impact on Duluth air base.
Nolan said the sequester cuts will mean a reduction to wages and personnel on the base. He said Congress should get back to work on a more balanced budget to avoid the deep cuts.
Nolan met with leaders at the 148th Fighter Wing to learn more about base operations. He said the sequester cuts hurt valuable assets like the Duluth air base.
“You need to support things that are cost effective and getting the job done, and be smart about your budgeting. Sequester doesn't do that,” Nolan said.
Nolan said the cuts could mean up to a 20 percent reduction of personnel at the 148th. He said Congress should take a different approach to the federal budget.
“I think the formula for the budget going forward has to be balance and include revenue as well as spending cuts,” Nolan said.
Nolan proposed closing tax loopholes for the wealthiest Americans as one way to increase revenue.
He said the 148th is a large employer in the region, and the effects of the cuts would hurt the community surround the base.
That is why he has called on Congress to reach an agreement.
“At the end of the day it's the moral and constitutional responsibility of the Congress to do the budgeting,” Nolan said.
Details on the sequester's impact will not be known for some time, but, without a new budget from Congress, the 148th will feel the cuts.
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