Conn. lawmakers express concerns of Tweed cuts

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Members of Connecticut's federal delegation are asking the Federal Aviation Administrator to reconsider the slated closure of the air traffic control tower at Tweed-New Haven.

In a letter to Michael Huerta, released on Friday, U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy and U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro said they believe "public health could be at significant risk should this tower close." Tweed's tower services Yale-New Haven Hospital's organ donation flights and the hospital's helipad.

The lawmakers said they've been told by local officials that emergency Life Star helicopter flights could be affected if the tower closes.

The delegation announced on Thursday that six state airports may lose all their air traffic controllers next month as a result of $85 million in automatic federal budget cuts that took effect last week.