The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reached the decision that 149 federal contract towers including the one at the Hutchinson Municipal Airport should close beginning April 7, this as part of the agency’s sequestration implementation plan.

“We heard from communities across the country about the importance of their towers and these were very tough decisions,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Unfortunately we are faced with a series of difficult choices that we have to make to reach the required cuts under sequestration.”

“We will work with the airports and the operators to ensure the procedures are in place to maintain the high level of safety at non-towered airports,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta.

Others in the state include the New Century Air Center in Olathe, the Manhattan Regional Airport in Manhattan, the Johnson County Executive Airport in Olathe, and the Phillip Billard Airport in Topeka.

Again, the towers are set to close on April 7th.

Kansas Senator Jerry Moran spoke on the Senate Floor Friday clearly upset that his amendment to a continuing resolution that would keep the control towers open wouldn’t even get a vote. You can watch that video below.