Twenty Seven Aviation And Labor Organizations Send Appeal To
Leaders In Both Chambers
Twenty seven of the nation's leading aviation and labor
associations have sent a letter to leadership in the House and
Senate, as well as all 12 members of the “Super
Committee”, expressing their opposition to proposed tax and
fee increases on the aviation industry.
"As President Obama continues his perplexing assault on
aviation, it is critical that everyone in aviation stand together
to reject these ill-advised proposals," said GAMA president Pete
Bunce. "We have much at stake in this debate and we will continue
to work together with Congress to develop proposals that support
economic growth and job creation, improve our aviation
infrastructure, and enhance safety.”
"Earlier this week, NBAA joined with eight leading general
aviation associations in a statement calling the user fee proposal
in the president's plan ill-conceived and counterproductive," said
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "Today we are pleased to join with
dozens of other major aviation groups in a strong showing of united
opposition to more fees. Of particular importance to NBAA Members,
the $100 per-flight user fee in the president's plan would create
an onerous new administrative burden and necessitate the creation
of a costly new fee-collection bureaucracy.
"We will continue to urge the President to stop singling out
general aviation for punitive treatment, given that our industry is
a major driver of economic growth and job creation in America,"
Bolen added.
"As you may know, the American economy is increasingly dependent
upon the rapid transportation of products and people that aviation
allows," says the letter, which was addressed to Senate Majority
Leader Harry Reid but distributed widely on Capitol Hill. "Aviation
plays a major role in driving U.S. growth and investment across the
country and around the world.
The association leaders point out that, with current concerns
about the stability and future of the U.S. economy, it is important
to emphasize the vital role that aviation plays in our economy:
- Represents 5.6 percent of Gross Domestic Product.
- Contributes over $1.2 trillion in economic activity.
- Provides 11 million jobs.
"U.S. airlines, general aviation and aviation manufacturing
companies and their respective employees face intense competition
from the rest of the world," the letter states. "Our policymakers
should be focused on increasing U.S. international competitiveness
rather than viewing the industry as a national piggybank. If we are
to maintain global leadership and increase jobs in this country, we
need to stop this mentality and ensure that tax and infrastructure
policy are focused on strengthening U.S. aviation leadership and
furthering the safety and modernization of the aviation
system."