Hultgren says Fermilab cuts go too deep
From Batavia Patch, Feb. 23, 2011
U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren said the proposed cuts affecting the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory are simply too much.
As a member of the Science, Space and Technology committee, Hultgren said he is in a good place to fight for Fermilab, which is in the 14th Congressional District. He spoke on Tuesday to a group of mostly business owners at the Eagle Brook County Club in Geneva.
Hultgren is making rounds in his district during this week's congressional recess. He is the latest in a line of local politicians speaking out against the science cuts, including U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. Click here to read Durbin's reaction to the proposed cuts.
Congress will consider a 20 percent funding drop to the Office of Science budget, one that would require Fermilab to cut 400 employees, furlough all remaining staff for two months and suspend experiments. To read more about the possible Fermilab cuts, click here.
Responding to the first question after his initial remarks, one posed by a Fermilab employee, Hultgren acknowledged that he cannot ask other legislators to make cuts to programs in their districts and not expect reductions to programs in this district.
Hultgren understand cuts must be made, but no one has to "take an ax" to places like Fermilab.
“I think 20 percent is too much, maybe 5 percent," he said of the funding cut. "We need to be fair and reasonable ... I am a fan of Fermilab, and I want to see it still vibrant 20 to 30 years from now.”
Read more
|
Cloudy
