Florida Considers Suborbital Indemnification Bill

The Florida legislature is considering a bill that would remove liability for death to participants with companies operating sub-orbital space flights from Florida. This is to compete with Virginia after they passed a similar bill last year.

Read Florida's bill and encourage your state legislators to pass similar legislation.

If you live in Florida, contact your local representative and let them know how important it is that they vote for this legislation.

Bush Blasted for Weak Science Budget

President Bush was blasted by both sides of the isle for his lack luster 2009 science federal budget spending request. His budget was compared with the COMPETES act that he passed for the 110th Congress

Roscoe Bartlett, Republican from Maryland in the house, said "nothing you have mentioned in energy research is cutting-edge."

Bart Gordon, Democratic chair of the House Committee on Science and Technology said "What you've heard today from both sides of the aisle is that more of the same is not getting the job done."

Earlier responses from members on the Subcommittee on Space was similar.

Join your voice with those on the committee by emailing, faxing, calling, and visiting your Congressmen to demand they give president bush a 2009 budget to sign with a much higher budget for space exploration.

Representative Weldon of Space Coast Not Running Again

Representative Dave Weldon, of the 15th district which includes the "Space Coast" region, has announced today that he will not be running for another term after being in congress since 1994.

Representative Weldon is currently sponsoring the recently introduced bill H.R.4837 "To authorize the Space Shuttle to be flown from 2010 through 2015, and to authorize appropriations for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for this purpose."

He also was a co-sponsor of the successful H.R.758 "To establish an interagency aerospace revitalization task force to develop a national strategy for aerospace workforce recruitment, training, and cultivation," That was signed by President Bush in December of 2006.

While Weldon's announcement should'nt necessarily impact the course of H.R.4837, it does present an important opportunity to secure a strong advocate for the space industry when he leaves.

Many are planning on running for his spot already. Actionforspace.com will keep you posted on those candidates and other developments as they occur closer to the congressional elections.

Round 'em Up

OK. So here is the plan:

1.) email actionforspace@gmail.com with your name, zip code, and state.

2.) wait for specific emails about local debates, visiting congressman, and when legislation is coming up for votes. These emails will describe where the event is, which bill is up for vote, or contact information for your representative (email address, phone number, etc.)

3.) We all act on it in a unified and forceful way.

4.) Space policy is impacted for good.

Lets do it. Enough sitting around reading the space news; lets get involved with the political and legislative process!