Todd Jorns becomes RAP's Associate Director of Legislative Affairs

Regional Aviation Partners has announced the hiring of Todd Jorns as its new Associate Director of Legislative Affairs. "Todd is a welcome addition to the RAP team as we prepare to fight for preserving full funding of the Essential Air Service (EAS) and the Small Community Air Service Grant programs for fiscal year 2005 and beyond," said RAP Executive Director Maurice Parker. "We have a very difficult road ahead of us as we work to keep these vital programs in place. Jorns has considerable experience on Capitol Hill with a major interest on aviation/transportation issues. His skills will be invaluable to RAP as we continue the fight to preserve small community air service."

Jorns previously served as the legislative liaison for Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), where he was responsible for corporate and community outreach in the Phoenix metropolitan area, including: briefing Arizona staff on legislative matters; conducting research with local and state officials on policy issues; and discussing with various groups Senator McCain's positions on relevant legislation and issues. He specialized in aviation, homeland security, and surface transportation issues. Before relocating to Phoenix, Jorns worked on the Commerce, Science, and Transportation committee in Washington, D.C., where he held several positions of increasing responsibility.

RAP has a full slate of activities planned for the 2004-2005 fiscal year. Our priorities include:

• Lobbying for financial relief for airports facing the Part 139 Rule Change-Certification of Airports
• Seeking maximum funding for the EAS program in the FY05 Transportation Appropriations Bill
• Eliminating new Department of Transportation-mandated community cost-sharing schemes
• Repealing the current cost share language from the FY05 FAA Reauthorization Bill
• Increasing the current $200 per passenger subsidy cap for EAS markets to reflect the increased carrier operating costs and prevent further community eliminations
• Recruiting new members to expand our member base to include every state with an EAS market
• Expanding our network of dedicated policy makers who support small community air service

The not-for-profit RAP was founded in April 2001 to represent those who depend on small community air service for access to the global transportation system. Members include representatives from airlines, aircraft manufacturers, passenger groups, local government and businesses who depend on regional airline service.

FMI: http://www.regionalaviationpartners.org