NOPE ally seen as next head to defense subcommittee

Norman Dicks, a representative from Washington state and co-signor with Rep. Rush Holt of this April 17, 2009 letter to the Department of Navy installations chief requesting a cost-benefits analysis of the Laurelwood civilian housing plan, is poised to head the U.S House Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee, according to The (Tacoma, WA) News Tribune.

Admittedly a highly speculative angle, this is potentially good news for NOPE and service members who work at NWS Earle who we understand do not want civilian housing, in that Mr. Dicks' control over the $650 million discretionary portion of the Pentagon's budget could prove favorable in funding that the DoN would need in the F2011 Defense Authorization to buy out Laurelwood Homes, LLC and make this ill-fated contract go away once and for all. The DoN's contention all along has been that it cannot afford a buyout, but perhaps with Mr. Dicks' recognition of the Laurelwood housing plan, an appropriate, expedient buyout will be budgeted. NOPE will stay on top of this story.