By James Call
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-948354.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – The president of the Florida Senate is blaming the President of the United States for depression-era unemployment levels in his district. James Call reports, Melbourne Senator Mike Haridopolos said President Obama broke a promise he made on the campaign trail.
There are three space shuttle flights scheduled before the program ends next year. A tight federal budget has a cloud of uncertainty hovering above Florida's space coast. While unemployment in the state is at 12 percent, In the counties surrounding the Kennedy Space Center it is approaching 20 percent, and Senator Haridopolos is blaming President Obama.
"And it is because of the broken promise of the President of the United States. As a person who lives in that community I'm angry about it. He ran for president of the United States in 2008 he came to my home district, in fact the school I use to teach at and said we are going to reduce the gap in the rocket and shuttle program. Then he said never mind. That's insulting."
Florida faces the loss of up to 14 thousand jobs with the end of the shuttle program. The Obama administration wants to invest money instead in research and development for deep space missions. Haridopolos said that decision is one reason why he will run for the U.S. Senate.