Our view: Weekend wrap-up

Boosting space, protecting lagoon's sea grass beds wind up winning in Tallahassee

The news this week in Tallahassee was grim.

Gov. Charlie Crist signed a $66 billion state budget for fiscal year 2008-09 that included deep cuts across-the-board, the product of the state's weak economy and plummeting revenue.

But on one critical front -- boosting Florida's space efforts as the post-shuttle era draws near -- Brevard County won when Crist left in a badly needed $16.5 million space package that's an investment in the future.

The rundown includes:

• $14.5 million for space infrastructure, specifically to refurbish a launch complex at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to attract private launch companies.
• $1.25 million for the Brevard Workforce Development Board for worker retention, training and education.
• $500,000 for a research facility at Florida Tech in Melbourne to aid commercial human spaceflight training and outreach programs for students in grades 6 to12 as well as undergraduate and graduate programs.

Brevard County's state lawmakers deserve credit for working as a team to get the package approved, led by Sen. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, and Rep. Thad Altman, R-Viera. Kudos to Crist, too, in recognizing the importance of this issue.

Still, the money is a drop in the proverbial bucket considering what's coming when the shuttles stop flying in 2010:

The loss of an estimated 6,400 jobs at Kennedy Space Center plus thousands of others in support services and businesses throughout our community.

NASA pumps $4 billion a year into the Florida economy, with $1.65 million spent in Brevard. Posey's office estimates the reductions will result in the loss of $600 million in direct wages. However, that figure is certain to grow if, as expected, NASA's new moon program is delayed beyond its 2015 start-up date.

That's why lawmakers should raise space investment on their priority list next year and in the years beyond.

Meanwhile, Crist used his veto pen to kill a bill that would have allowed developers to further destroy the sea grass beds that are the nurseries of marine life in Florida waters, including the imperiled Indian River Lagoon that runs through the heart of Brevard.

The bill started out with teeth to toughen sea grass safeguards, but at the last minute Rep. Will Kendrick, R-Carrabelle, kow-towed to developers by adding an amendment.

The result was a measure that would have allowed for more sea grass destruction while promising a mitigation program to replace lost beds by planting new ones in other locations. However, a similar plan has failed to protect Florida's wetlands that continue disappearing at an alarming rate.

Crist added to his strong environmental record by seeing the bill for the disaster it was and spiking it.

The governor and lawmakers should come back next year with legislation that gives sea grass beds the strong protection they need.

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