GREETINGS! First, Here’s an update from Washington, D.C. President Bush’s budget request for fiscal year 2006 is now available. As part of the budget for the Department of Transportation, the Airport Improvement Program is targeted for a $600 million reduction below the authorized level while other programs of importance to airports, including the FAA air traffic control modernization program would suffer cuts as well.
The budget request also includes $14 billion for the FAA to support new infrastructure, hire new air traffic controllers, and deploy technology to enhance aviation capacity and safety. The budget triples funding for the Joint Planning and Development Office.
The Budget in Brief is available at www.dot.gov.
Secondly, Legislation that would re-open Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to General Aviation aircraft was introduced Wednesday April 6th in the U.S. House. It’s not the first bill to make that attempt. But this bill was introduced by the leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and “That’s key,” according to National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) spokesman Dan Hubbard, Congressmen Don Young (R-Alaska), Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.) and Aviation Subcommittee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) all signed on to the bill. These sponsors add considerable clout to “a growing chorus of support” for re-opening DCA, NBAA said.
Thirdly, Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT) is selected as Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Aviation.
Fourthly, Here’s an update concerning Missouri Aviation. The only Airports and Aviation Bills are as follows:
Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
(2005)
Bills Indexed by Subject
AIRCRAFT AND AIRPORTS
HB 38 --- Sponsor:
Jackson, Jack
Authorizes an income tax designation to the Airborne Law Enforcement Fund
HB 306 --- Sponsor: Dempsey, Tom
Extends the expiration of the aviation jet fuel sales and use tax exemption
HB 713 --- Sponsor: Cooper, Nathan D.
Extends the expiration date of the transfer of jet fuel sales tax into the State Aviation Trust Fund and increases air control tower funding
SB 169 --- Sponsor: Gross, Charles
Renews aviation sales tax until 2010 and technical addition to title section 305.230.
SB 396 --- Sponsor: Crowell, Jason
Extends sunset of transfer of jet fuel tax to the aviation trust fund and increases air control tower funding.
SB 498 --- Sponsor: Mayer, Robert
Amends sales and use tax exemption for aircraft sales to not-for-profit organizations.
Last Updated April 6, 2005 at 8:56 pm _
Note: Here’s your web site address for Texas Legislation: www.texas.gov
Look for Transportation-Aviation, to search all Aviation Bills.
Note: Here’s your web site address for Illinois Legislation: www.illinois.gov
Look for Transportation-Aviation, to search all Aviation Bills.
Now, In Conclusion, Remember we as USPA, MPA, TPA, IPA, EAA, AOPA, or any other State Pilot Association of which you may be a member, all have a powerful voice, be it here in Missouri, Indiana, Texas, Illinois, or whatever state you may represent. Every group of taxpayers, and pilots carries a strong voice to Washington, D.C. and on the State and Local Government level.
So Let’s not forget To Exercise Our Rights and Privileges, so we can continue to make a “Difference for General Aviation.”
UNTIL NEXT TIME!
Larry G. Harmon
Vice President
Government & Technical Affairs
United States Pilots Association
E-mail: USPAVPLHARMON228@aol.com
Posted by JC at April 7, 2005 05:11 PM