Fri, Jul 22, 2011
Urgent HAI Member Alert: Tell Congress 'NO!'
The recent rhetoric by President Obama against the business
aviation community has had GA focused mainly on the possible end of
accelerated depreciation for business aircraft purchases. But NBAA
sounded the alarm a few days ago about the renewed prospect of
aviation user fees, and now Helicopter Association International is
joining in alerting members to the threat.
US President Barack Obama
HAI issued a statement Tuesday which says, in part:
"At a time when 14 million people are out of work in the U.S.,
businesses are struggling to meet payroll, and many Americans find
it difficult to put food on their tables, the Obama White House and
congressional leaders are seriously considering a $25 'User Fee' as
part of the debt relief package...Much of the discussion has flown
under the radar under the guise of attacking
corporate aircraft.
HAI President Matt Zuccaro
"HAI President Matt Zuccaro joined the leaders of the major
aviation associations in Washington in sending a letter to every
U.S. Senator and Member of Congress on this important issue which
would create an expensive new federal collection bureaucracy funded
on the backs of general aviation operators in the name of deficit
reduction.
"HAI needs you to contact your House Member and your two
Senators today by phone and email and ask to speak with the
aviation or transportation staffer. To obtain telephone numbers and
email links, please visit www.house.gov and www.senate.gov. Any change in current
law that would allow for a private aircraft user fee would be
detrimental to our industry, and your voice in Washington needs to
be heard.
"As the debate continues in Washington, HAI will keep you
informed and let you know what you can do to help get this
important message to lawmakers in Washington. The bottom line is
that any user fee proposal should be rejected by Congress. User
fees have absolutely devastated general aviation in other parts of
the world."
The full text of the message is linked from the home page of
HAI's website, including suggested
talking points to use when contacting your federal lawmakers.
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