Despite war, another round of base closures looms. (On First Reading).Although the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and subsequent war in Afghanistan have focused national attention on the U.S. military, Congress approved another round of base closures. And states are lining up to respond with a vigorous no. A total of 97 bases were closed in four rounds from 1988 through 1995, saving the government $15.5 billion; a fifth round is projected to save an additional $3.5 billion a year by 2010. But Alaska, Illinois Illinois, river, United States Illinois, river, 273 mi (439 km) long, formed by the confluence of the Des Plaines and Kankakee rivers, NE Ill., and flowing SW to the Mississippi at Grafton, Ill. It is an important commercial and recreational waterway. , Kansas, Oklahoma Kansas is a town in Delaware County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 685 at the 2000 census. Geography Kansas is located at (36.202423, -94.795122)GR1. and South Carolina South Carolina, state of the SE United States. It is bordered by North Carolina (N), the Atlantic Ocean (SE), and Georgia (SW). Facts and Figures Area, 31,055 sq mi (80,432 sq km). Pop. (2000) 4,012,012, a 15. are among the states concerned that their bases may end up on the chopping chop 1 v. chopped, chop·ping, chops v.tr. 1. a. To cut by striking with a heavy sharp tool, such as an ax: chop wood. b. block, and they are mounting efforts to fight back. Alaska Representative Eldon Mulder, co-chair of the Joint Committee on Military Bases, says the Legislature may hire outside counsel to track the federal legislation. "Alaska is different from the lower 48 states in that local communities 'disappear' when the base or post is closed. There are no industries to fill the void when a base closes. For example, when the Adak military base closed, the whole community died." Oklahoma, home to five military installations that have survived four rounds of realignment re·a·lign tr.v. re·a·ligned, re·a·lign·ing, re·a·ligns 1. To put back into proper order or alignment. 2. To make new groupings of or working arrangements between. and closures since 1988, is taking no chances that its luck will hold. The Legislature created a task force to recommend ways to stop closure or downsizing (1) Converting mainframe and mini-based systems to client/server LANs. (2) To reduce equipment and associated costs by switching to a less-expensive system. (jargon) downsizing of the state's military facilities, maximize state input into the process, protect the interests of nearby communities and residents, and assist in relocation RELOCATION, Scotch law, contracts. To let again to renew a lease, is called a relocation. 2. When a tenant holds over after the expiration of his lease, with the consent of his landlord, this will amount to a relocation. of responsibilities from out-of-state bases to Oklahoma bases. Should all else fail, the task force will develop methods to ensure a closing base's market value is fair. "We've got to get out in front before it happens," says Senator Ted Fisher. "When you have a significant military presence, you've got to be thinking about it before a bad call is made." Illinois also wants to be ready. The General Assembly has appropriated $1.5 million to ensure that the state presents a unified front to keep all facilities off closure lists if possible and to provide a smooth transition to private use for any sites removed from military service. |
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