Mayor Annise Parker Fights for NASA/METRO Funding in Nation's Capitol

Mayor Annise Parker is headed to Washington D.C. this week for meetings with NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood and members of Congress. 
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In a news conference at Houston City Hall, Parker said that she will reiterate her support for METRO's planned expansion of light rail and seek reconsideration of the cancellation of NASA's Constellation program.  She said her visit is part of a broader effort to save the manned space flight program that involves the local congressional delegation, Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, the Greater Houston Partnership and the city.

"Human space flight is vital to the Houston economy," Parker said, quoting a letter she sent to President Obama last week.  "The Constellation program would help our Johnson Space Center workforce transition effectively as the Shuttle is retired from active service.  Without Constellation, we could lose anywhere from 4,000 to 7,000 high-tech jobs.  The economic impact to Houston and the region would be devastating, on the order of $560 million."

Parker stressed that she is a strong supporter of expansion of light rail in Houston and she wants to make sure the Federal Transit Administration knows that.  She noted that the President's budget proposal includes $900 million for the next phase of rail. 

"I strongly believe the funding is secure," Parker said.  "However, due to the revelations of the last few weeks and the ongoing district attorney's investigation, it is important that Washington hear from me that Houston remains committed to this project." 

Concerned about an apparent lack of transparency, the mayor appointed transition teams to look at METRO's finances, regional coordination, light rail plans and basic services.  She has called for new management at the transit agency.  To that end, she said that she will be announcing new city appointees for the METRO board later this week.

Parker distributed a copy of a letter she is sending to all members of the METRO Board of Directors, asking them to refrain from making any major decisions until new members that she is appointing have been confirmed by Houston City Council and take their places at the METRO board table.