Sent: Friday, April 27, 2007 9:26:18 AM
Subject: Fw: FAA Proposal Calls for User Fees, Tax Increases
Message
'----- Original Message -----
From: Bill
Hougland
To: hougland@earthlink.net
Sent: Friday, April 27, 2007 7:35 AM
Subject: FAA Proposal Calls for User Fees, Tax Increases
This issue is too critical to the aviation
industry... please pass this on to others in the
busieness..
The FAA has submitted their 2008 - 2018 reauthorization
proposal to Congress.
Why is
this critical? 1) imposition of user Fees, "at the administrators
discretion" (in other words, if he/she doesn't like you, they could,
without congressional approval charge fees. 2) Raises tax on Aviation fuels,
lowers taxes on Commercial airlines. (guess which group has the FAA's
ear?)
Two
organizations to support it: 1) The FAA (see the
attachment for rebuttal and 2) The ATA (Airline Transport
Assoc).
In
Colorado, The CAOA (Colorado Airport Operators Assoc. (the airport managers ))
has not taken a stance one way or the other. When I spoke to one board
member he said "we have to be careful that we don't alienate the airlines"
holy cow,
Colorado has what, maybe 10 airports with commercial service? and 75
without. what are they thinking? That G.A. is not that
important.
I have
also tried to get a position from the AAAE (American Assoc of Airport
Executives). no answer from them either.
Naturally, the AOPA, AOA,
EAA, NATA, NBAA, PAMA, GAMA, HAI have all come out with positions against - but
this is not enough...
This is Not an issue anyone in
aviation can 'let someone else fight'. Every Pilot, lineman, mechanic,
airport manager, aircraft owner should be calling their local
representative, mayor, Airport manager, their state senators &
representative, and their national congressman and representative to stop
this. NOW. Congress has already
been holding hearings on this, and it's not looking good.
Our President is / was a pilot, and this proposal was
submitted to congress with his support. what the heck is he
thinking?
The ramifications are too Substantial to
renumerate all of them, but follow the money.
Below are the NATA's
comments:
FAA Proposal Calls for User
Fees, Tax Increases
On February 14, 2007, the
Federal Aviation Administration sent to Congress its proposal to fund the
Airport and Airway Trust Fund. The proposal would eliminate the current
7.5 percent passenger ticket tax and 6.25 percent cargo waybill tax in favor of
a user fee system based on the amount of air traffic control services
used. User fees will apply to all commercial carriers, including on-demand
air charter operators.
General aviation and
business aviation operations will continue to pay through the fuel tax, which
will rise to 70 cents per gallon for both aviation gasoline and
aviation jet fuel. Commercial fuel taxes will also rise from 4.3 cents per
gallon to 13.6 cents per gallon. All operators, both general aviation and
commercial, will also be subject to fees for use of the terminal airspace of
large hub airports.
Following release of the
proposal, FAA Administrator Marion Blakey testified before both the House
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science and Transportation about the agency's plan. Congressional
officials greeted the proposal with skepticism, with one Member of Congressman
proclaiming the plan "dead on arrival." Both the House and Senate are
scheduled to hold several hearings regarding the plan in the next several weeks.
2007 Federal Aviation Administration
Reauthorization Legislation
Updated April 26, 2007
In 2007, Congress will
begin debate on legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration
and other aviation programs. The current system of taxes and fees
supporting the Airport and Airway Trust Fund expires on September 30,
2007.
http://www.aviationacrossamerica.com
http://www.eaa.org/ (EAA)
http://www.nata.aero (NATA)
http://www.coloradoairports.org (CAOA)
http://www.aaae.org
(AAAE)
http://www.coloradopilots.org
http://gaservingamerica.com/how_work/work_funding.htm
http://www.aopa.org/
(AOPA)
www.nbaa.org
http://www.airlines.org/ (ATA)
http://www.rotor.com/ (HAI)
Bill Hougland
WESTERN PETROLEUM
COMPANY
Parker,
CO
303-840-7999
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