ATA's May, NBAA's Bolen Among Those Testifying On User Fee
Battle
Aero-News has learned Vermont
Lt. Governor Brian Dubie, Chair of the Aerospace States
Association (ASA), presided over a hearing on Tuesday designed to
inform state leaders about the impact on their states of a funding
reauthorization plan currently before congress for the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA).
The funding will support the FAA's plan to transform the
nation's air traffic management system from a ground-based radar
system to a satellite-based system by 2025. Vermont's Lt. Governor
Dubie is leading state efforts to advise congress.
The FAA-proposed legislation currently on Capitol Hill, entitled
the "NextGen Financing Reform Act of 2007," has sparked controversy
throughout the aviation world with new proposals for who will pay
for the system upgrade, and how they will pay.
"The states are the end users of the FAA's services, so it is
critical that we understand all the issues involved in keeping the
existing aviation system functioning safely and efficiently while
we transition to the next generation system," Dubie said. States,
he added, are particularly interested in understanding the issues
surrounding funding of the aviation system.
ASA is organization of lieutenant governors and
governor-appointed delegates, formed to promote a state-based
perspective in federal aerospace and aviation policy development,
and to support state aerospace initiatives that enhance student and
teacher education outreach and economic development
opportunities. As Dubie puts it, "ASA represents the grass
roots of American aerospace." In August 2006, he launched ASA's
first state affiliate, the Vermont Aviation and Aerospace
Association.
The newest member of Vermont's congressional delegation, Rep.
Peter Welch, attended Tuesday's hearing, as did staffers from
Senator Patrick Leahy's and Senator Bernard Sanders' offices.
Vermont State Aviation Administrator Rich Turner was also present
for the hearing.
Following the hearing, ASA will develop a resolution advising
senators and representatives on the bill's impacts at the state
level. The resolution will also be delivered to each state's
governor, lieutenant governor and transportation
secretary.
Dubie is also in Washington this week to attend the winter
meeting of the National Lt. Governors Association.
Testifying before the ASA delegates were:
Congressional Members
-
The Honorable Mary Fallin,
Member, House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure
- The Honorable John Mica, Ranking Member, House Committee on
Transportation & Infrastructure
- The Honorable Thomas E. Petri, Ranking Member, House
Subcommittee on Aviation
Administration
- Mr. Dan Elwell, Assistant Administrator of
Aviation Policy, Planning, and Environment, Federal Aviation
Administration
Industry
- Mr. Charles Barclay, President, American Association of Airport
Executives
- Mr. Edward M. Bolen, President, National Business Aviation
Association
- Mr. Roger Cohen, President, Regional Airline Association
- Mr. James K. Coyne, President, National Air Transportation
Association
- Mr. James C. May, President and CEO, Air Transport
Association
- Mr. Henry Ogrodzinski, President and CEO, National Association
of State Aviation Officials