Sun, Apr 27, 2008
Boyer Says "We're On Final Approach" To Funding
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots
Association welcomed the news of Senate action on FAA
reauthorization, following months of inaction on the part of
lawmakers.
"We’re on final approach to an FAA funding bill in the
Senate," said AOPA President Phil Boyer, "and we finally got
clearance because of the support and determination of AOPA members
who were willing to accept a tax increase, if truly necessary, to
support a modernized air traffic control system, but stood rock
solid against user fees."
As ANN reported, late in the
afternoon on April 25 the leaders of the Senate Finance and
Commerce committees announced they had resolved their different
approaches to FAA funding and were ready to present a final bill to
the full Senate on Monday afternoon.
If the bill is approved by the full Senate, it is expected to
keep avgas taxes at the current rate of 19.3 cents per gallon, but
increase jet fuel taxes to 36 from 21.8 cents per gallon.
There would be no change in the taxes on airlines... and no user
fees for GA pilots.
"While many worked behind the scenes to make this happen, we
give special acknowledgment to Finance Committee Chairman Max
Baucus (D-MT) and Commerce aviation subcommittee Chairman John D.
Rockefeller (D-WV) along with Finance Ranking Member Chuck Grassely
(R-IA) and aviation subcommittee Ranking Member Kay Bailey
Hutchison (R-Texas) who worked together for the benefit of all
aviation," said Boyer. "Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) also played a
pivotal role on the Finance Committee."
US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) will hold a cloture
vote Monday at 1730 EDT on the bill.
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