Issue Position: Keeping Aerospace Jobs Here in the South Bay

Issue Position

Our state was perhaps the biggest benefactor, and dependant, of the country's passion for space exploration. From the Bay Area to Southern California, Californians have led and continue to lead the way for the industry. In 2010, California aerospace companies like Boeing and Raytheon helped to fuel a positive trade balance of $53 billion for the nation's aerospace trade.

But there are growing concerns for our industry's future, and whether our state and our nation will be able to maintain its competitive position in the global aerospace market for the coming years. Boeing was able to beat out its European rival Airbus for the fuel tanker contract this time, but its ability to compete in the future will depend on our commitment as a nation to invest in the aerospace industrial base and its workforce. Last year was the first in five decades that there was no manned civilian or military aircraft under design in the United States. If we lose such specialized capabilities today, they won't be available tomorrow.

In a world suddenly reshaped by the financial crisis, emerging markets in China, India, Brazil, and Russia are challenging previous assumptions about the U.S. ability to maintain its position in the global aerospace market. From 2005 to 2008, the United States launched 72 rockets into space, compared to 7 for India, 26 for China, and 94 rockets launched in Russia.

This emerging challenge to the supremacy of American aerospace companies comes at a time that our aerospace workforce is aging. Over half of American aerospace workers will be eligible for retirement within the next ten years. The students that were inspired by Neil Armstrong's first walk on the Moon have done their part, but we need a new generation of rocket scientists to take their place. We are simply not graduating enough engineers to do it. 5% of American bachelor's degrees are in engineering, as compared to 20% in Asia.

Councilwoman Janice Hahn believes that Congresswoman Jane Harman's efforts last year to shine a spotlight on the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education was spot-on, and that message should not be lost with her recent retirement from Congress. There is no greater investment that we can make for our country's future than to encourage education in the STEM fields. Congress and the President should heed Jane's warning: "We can't build rockets without rocket scientists."

Responding to these new challenges will require new funding and a renewed focus on high-tech aerospace projects. Climate change research provides a great, and important, new opportunity to invest in space technologies. Additionally, Congress should maintain NASA's budget at 1% of the federal budget, and provide stable funding streams for future aerospace projects. Let us never forget that aerospace growth means good-paying jobs right here in California, and in the South Bay.

Councilwoman Janice Hahn believes that it's time to invest again in aerospace and encourage a new generation of Americans to dream big, and look to the stars. She knows that the decisions we make to support this critical industry in the coming years will once again secure our nation's future, and ensure the economic vitality of the regions in California that companies like Boeing, Raytheon, and Sonic Industries call home.

Source