Funding Provided for Niagara Air Base and Programs that Spur Local Economic Growth

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (NY-28) today reacted to the FY2013 budget proposal released by President Obama saying that it provided necessary investments in programs that create jobs in Western New York.

Under the president's proposal, Western New York would receive $6.1 million for a C-130 simulator for the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, as well as consistent or increased funding for programs that invest in the Great Lakes and arts programs, long understood to be economic drivers in Western New York and across the country.

"Every dollar that we invest into the Niagara Air Base translates into more jobs and economic opportunity for Western New York, which is why I'm so pleased that the President's budget allocates $6.1 million for a new C-130 simulator," said Slaughter. "This facility is expected to bring 400 military personnel and their dependents to our region annually, which is exactly why I have been fighting for this project. This news couldn't come at a better time for the thousands of employees who rely on the Niagara Air Base."

"I'm pleased to see adequate funding for programs that we know spur economic growth in Western New York like the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative which invests in the economic and environmental health of the greatest natural resource in our backyard and supports more than a million jobs in the U.S. Also, the arts are an economic driver in every community in America and the announcement from the White House that they will increase funding to such a cost-effective economic driver is a good one. By pushing for more funding for artists, musicians, dancers and writers, every taxpayer dollars gets a 6:1 return boosting economies across the country.

"In the age of tight budgets, I believe we must do everything we can to reduce spending and stretch the value of a dollar wherever possible. Like American families across the region, we must make difficult spending decisions, but being good stewards of hard earned taxpayer dollars doesn't mean blindly cutting budgets. I'm pleased that the budget introduced today looks to invest in programs that will help rebuild our local economy."

A breakdown of funding for these programs is included below.

The President's budget is considered a starting point for annual federal spending conversations between the White House and Congress.

President Obama's FY2013 Budget at a Glance

Defense

$6.1 million has been allocated for a Flight Simulator Facility for Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. This facility will bring an estimated 400 annual student visitors and their dependents to the region.

Slaughter is one of the base's staunchest advocates having securing more than $70 million in federal funding for NFARS since 2005 and was instrumental in the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station's removal from the BRAC list, ensuring its short-term survival.

Arts

The National Endowment for the Arts' funding request is $154.255 million, an $8 million increase from what was enacted in FY2012.

As Co-Chair of the Congressional Arts Caucus, Slaughter is a national leader in the fight to fully fund the arts. Each year, the arts industry generates $166.2 billion in economic activity, and provides 5.7 million full-time jobs. Every dollar of NEA grant money also leverages at least seven dollars from other state, local, and private sources. Few other federal investments have such a widespread impact and magnifying effect across the entire nation. In July, Slaughter brought the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts to Western New York's most prestigious arts venues including: the George Eastman House, Strong-National Museum of Play, Shea's Performing Arts Center, Kleinhans Music Hall and the Darwin Martin House.

Great Lakes

Under the president's proposal, The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) is set to receive funding at the same level as FY2012 with $300 million.

The Great Lakes provide invaluable recreational opportunities and support shipping, fishing, boating and tourism industries that generate 1.5 million jobs and $62 billion in wages. Congresswoman Slaughter has been the Co-Chair of the Great Lakes Task Force since 2005. The Task Force is a bipartisan organization that cooperates to enhance the economic and environmental health of the Great Lakes. Founded in the mid-1980s, Task Force members work to advocate for policies and programs that enhance our unique natural resource—the Great Lakes. In November 2011, Slaughter led her Great Lakes Colleagues in a letter to House appropriators requesting level funding in FY 12 for the GLRI, which was eventually included in the final FY 12 budget.