Lawmakers should support Essential Air Service funding

By Mason City Globe Gazette

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We were disappointed by a statement made by one of our U.S. senators this past week when Chuck Grassley said he might decide to vote in support of an amendment by Sen. John McCain that would strip funding for Essential Air Service from the federal budget.

We realize that Congress is in a mood to cut spending - a mood that comes at the behest of a voting public concerned about the federal deficit.

But we've seen several instances lately of budget-cutting proposals, both on the federal and state levels, that are penny wise and pound foolish.

As important as economic recovery is to the state and to the nation, as necessary as it is to give communities the tools they need to grow and attract business, it would be shooting ourselves in the foot to cut off funding for vital commercial air service.

Without such funding, it's almost (certain) that airlines like Delta would no longer serve Mason City or other communities like Fort Dodge. We would lose a service that is important to businesses as well as to recreational travelers. And we would lose a service that has seen growing usage in recent years.

The senior Iowa Republican senator said Congress is faced with the message sent by voters in November that it must cut government spending.

We agree with that, but it's important that we not make cuts to things that in the long run help support the economy and will help us dig out of this financial hole we find ourselves in.