Warns Against The Creation Of A 'SKY-R-S'

The Alliance for Aviation Across America issued a strongly-worded statement Tuesday in response to the release of President Obama's proposal to address the nation's deficit and job crises.

"On behalf of over 5,700 small businesses, farms, elected officials, Chambers of Commerce and aircraft operators in all 50 states, we are deeply concerned about the inclusion of a user fee tax in the President's recently released plan to create jobs," the statement reads. "It is astounding that the President would include user fees - which would add to the daunting challenges already confronting businesses in this climate - in a plan that purports to create jobs and stimulate the economy.

"For the tens of thousands of businesses, farms and charitable groups across the country that use general aviation and which represent the backbone of our economy, an added per-flight user charge will saddle these organizations with an onerous, unnecessary administrative burden. Additionally, the new charge will require the creation of a huge new bureaucracy - a SKY-R-S - to collect and administer the fee, which runs counter to the President's claim to want to lessen government bureaucracy. That is why Congress has repeatedly decided that any new revenue needed from the sector should be raised through the existing fuel tax, which is efficient and easy to use.

"These aircraft allow local businesses to gain access to plants in far-off corners of their state and region, allow farmers to survey and maintain their crops and livestock, and help medical operators to transport medical patients in rural areas to life-saving care. They support disaster relief, fire fighting, law enforcement and a host of other resources and services which are crucial to the thousands of communities throughout our nation - especially those with little or no airline service. Not only that, these businesses and groups support an industry that accounts for 1.2 million jobs and $150 billion in economic impact nationally.

"We urge Congress to reject the user fees, as it has repeatedly done to date."

FMI: www.aviationacrossamerica.org