A coalition of 17 industry and trade associations have sent a joint letter asking the House Transportation Committee to provide 25% of the FAA’s budget from the general tax fund.
The letter states that General Fund money has long been used to bolster the FAA’s budget, noting that as recently as 2003, 25% of the agency’s budget was financed from the General Fund.
The letter emphasized that a General Fund contribution of 25% would go a long way towards funding the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), which will require an additional $1 billion per year to implement. Moving the General Fund contribution from its current 18% back to 25% will help generate huge economic and environmental benefits, as well as boost the economy as a whole, the letter said.
The letter was sent to Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Ill.), chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.), ranking member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.) and Thomas Petri (R-Wis.), chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
