Griffin Uses Hand Picked Media Opportunity to Warn of Layoffs

NASA chief warns of layoffs if funding levels frozen, Houston Chronicle

“Outgoing NASA administrator Michael Griffin warned today that the space agency may have to lay off an unspecified number of contractors on the back-to-the-moon Constellation program if Congress continues to freeze NASA spending below the $17.6 billion requested for this year by the Bush administration. Griffin told reporters at a breakfast sponsored by the Space Foundation that continuing funding of the space agency at the level specified in a temporary budget resolution would force the personnel cutbacks.”

Editor’s note: Isn’t it funny how Mike Griffin only plays the layoff scare tactic a few days before he leaves NASA – and does so as a parting shot? This media briefing was not for all the media – only a select few. Others were not allowed to attend. This was likely to be Griffin’s last media availability as Administrator. As such, this is very much in keeping with his personal distain for the media and his preference for organizations such as the Space Foundation who are not interested in transparency. Of course, David Mould agreed with this selective media access. Hopefully that will begin to change in a few days.