Space exploration: Florida ill-prepared to replace thousands of lost jobs once space shuttle program ends

NASA will ground space shuttles for good this year, barring an unexpected change of heart from President Barack Obama. Up to 7,000 positions at Kennedy Space Center and at least 10,000 more Florida jobs that depend on them could be lost along with the program.

This economic meteor has been hurtling toward Florida for several years, but state leaders have done far too little to plan for it. In last year's legislative session, not a single proposal to boost the space industry in the state was passed.

Members of Florida's congressional delegation have been pushing to raise NASA's budget and direct dollars to other job-creating projects in the space sector. But these goals also demand action on the state level. Instead, Gov. Charlie Crist and state lawmakers are talking about renewal of a sales-tax holiday on school supplies and cutting corporate taxes in Florida. Little is being said, however, about investing in an industry that's critical to Florida's economy.

For the complete report: Florida ill-prepared to replace thousands of lost jobs once space shuttle program ends.\ - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com