WASHINGTON, D.C. — Although he is no longer chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee, Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Ill.) is still active in seeking elimination of user fees for general aviation. He is circulating a letter urging President Obama not to include general aviation user fees in the budget for Fiscal year 2112.
Costello remains a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. When Democrats controlled the House he was active in fighting user fees and led efforts to defeat Obama’s plan to charge fees. He circulated to other members of Congress a similar letter in October 2009 urging continuation of the current program of fuel taxes.
“We want to reiterate that a user fee proposal would be a step backward,” said Costello. “This is an issue that we have had bipartisan agreement on in recent years and there is no reason to reconsider it. I will not support a budget or an FAA Reauthorization bill that includes user fees.”
Over the past 40 years it seems if it is not one thing ore another. Some one finds a reason to take a few dollars here or there to drive up the cost of flying. It is about time the none flying public be educated to the real cost of flying. Like a 3rd class medical. I can flunk my medical and still go to work. Drive a 65,000 lb truck down the road @ 60 mph or say do brain surgery. Now that cost $65.00. Not much but it all adds up, Thanks!!