Gov. Rick Perry wants the Texas Department of Transportation to step in with funding for air traffic control towers at 13 small airports to go unstaffed due to federal budget cuts.
The Austin American-Statesman reports that Perry on Wednesday sent a letter asking the Texas Transportation Commission to provide 90 days of emergency assistance to keep the control towers open.
The Federal Aviation Administration last week released a list of 149 cuts nationwide as it seeks to cut $637 million from its budget for the fiscal year that ends in September.
State officials estimate the towers would cost $7 million a year to keep open.
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Perry calls the towers part of a "vital safety network."
Copyright AP - Associated Press
