Sen. Rick Santorum has introduced a bill (S. 786) that would prohibit the National Weather Service from offering any "product or service that is or could be provided by the private sector."

I like Sen. Santorum generally. I think he's a credible, honest elected official. Having said that, I think this bill is a dumb idea. Without free weather information provided by the NWS, there is a chance this service could become privatized and carry with it a cost.

As pilots we depend on access to weather information. After all, 40 percent of all accidents are weather-related.

I would encourage you to encourage your Senator to speak out against this bill. It's not good for general aviation.

The AOPA is standing firm in their opposition to the bill as well.