Image courtesy of the White House
The White House’s fiscal year 2018 Budget Blueprint calls for the privatization of air traffic control.
“The President’s 2018 Budget initiates a multi-year reauthorization proposal to shift the air traffic control function of the Federal Aviation Administration to an independent, non-governmental organization, making the system more efficient and innovative while maintaining safety,” the document says. “This would benefit the flying public and taxpayers overall.”
Showing a 13% decrease from the 2017 annualized continuing resolution (CR), the White House would request $16.2 billion for the Transportation Dept.’s discretionary budget. Other budgetary items outlined for the department include cutting funding for the Federal Transit Admin.’s Capital Investment Program (New Starts), eliminating funding for the Essential Air Service (EAS) program and eliminating funding for the TIGER discretionary grant program. The overall budget also claims to provide for “one of the largest increases in defense spending without increasing the debt.”
“The defense and public safety spending increases in this Budget Blueprint are offset and paid for by finding greater savings and efficiencies across the Federal Government. Our Budget Blueprint insists on $54 billion in reductions to non-Defense programs. We are going to do more with less, and make the Government lean and accountable to the people,” says President Donald Trump’s opening address in the document. “This includes deep cuts to foreign aid. It is time to prioritize the security and well-being of Americans, and to ask the rest of the world to step up and pay its fair share. Many other Government agencies and departments will also experience cuts. These cuts are sensible and rational. Every agency and department will be driven to achieve greater efficiency and to eliminate wasteful spending in carrying out their honorable service to the American people. I look forward to engaging the Congress and enacting this America First Budget.”