Thu, May 05, 2005
Ruth Marlin Testifies Against User Fees
Saying there is no crisis in the Aviation Trust Fund, National
Air Traffic Controllers Association Executive Vice President Ruth
Marlin told the House Aviation Subcommittee Wednesday that "we
should not underestimate the strength of the current Federal
Aviation Administration funding system and we should not tamper
with it lightly."
"The Trust Fund is a stable and strong source of revenue,"
Marlin said. "We should keep it that way by rejecting radical
changes based on a manufactured 'crisis.'" Marlin told the
committee NATCA welcomes the public discussion of this critical
policy decision, adding, "We were dismayed when the FAA announced
on Monday its intention to dissolve the Trust Fund at the end of
the current budget allocation period in 2007. We believe a robust
discussion of this topic is in order before rushing to conclusions
that may not serve our nation's safety, security and economic best
interests."
NATCA maintains that the Trust Fund surpluses have provided a
valuable source of stability, allowing our national aviation
investment to continue through periods of brief decline so that
program cuts are not made today that curb our nation's long term
economic growth. "In recent years, there have been dramatic
fluctuations in the use of the Trust Fund to fund normal operations
costs," Marlin testified.
Continued Marlin: "Our nation's
aviation system benefits the entire country, not just the people
who fly. Civil aviation accounts for nine percent of our gross
domestic product - that's over 900 billion dollars and over 11
million jobs. Americans enjoy the best and safest aviation system
in the world because of the structure built many years ago whose
foundation rests on resources drawn both from the aviation taxes
and the general public. Reducing the contribution made by the
public through general revenue could degrade the system, reduce
efficiency and safety and restrict economic growth. These costs
will be borne by every citizen not just the aviation industry."
Marlin told the committee NATCA is not asserting that more money
is needed to fund the FAA or the operations budget. "We understand
the strains on the federal budget," she remarked. "However, while
we do not think that large increases from the general fund are
needed, we also do not believe that major cuts are appropriate. For
four of the eight years since the Trust Fund taxes were
reauthorized, the general fund contribution for FAA operations
exceeded $3 billion. However, the structure of our funding
mechanism allows Congress to adjust the balance between the Trust
Fund and general revenue as circumstances dictate."
"Recognizing the significant national interest in maintaining
and operating our air traffic control system, NATCA believes that
Congress has acted properly in making these determinations."
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