The Pennsylvania House of Representatives recently passed a bill, by a vote of 179 to 19, to exempt aircraft purchases and maintenance from the state’s 6% sales tax. This action, say supporters, will return jobs and competitiveness to the state’s aviation industry.
Officials at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association said they worked with the Aviation Council of Pennsylvania for passage of House Bill 1100. The bill cleared the House May 21 and will now be referred to the Senate. The measure was sponsored by Rep. Peter J. Daley (D-Donora) and was supported by about 60 co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle.
During committee hearings, legislators heard testimony from businesses and aviation colleges who said that while other northeastern states passed competitive provisions that attracted aviation business activity, Pennsylvania was experiencing a flight of aviation companies and skilled industry workers.
Mark Kimberling, AOPA director of state government affairs, testified before a House committee that while Pennsylvania has more airports than states like Connecticut and Massachusetts, it has significantly fewer aviation workers employed in the state, because they decided to work elsewhere for “good, livable wages.”
Kimberling noted the strong bipartisan support for the legislation from House leaders and members, who are fully committed to the legislation as a vitally important jobs measure. AOPA, along with the Aviation Council of Pennsylvania, will now turn their full attention to the Senate, association officials said.
For more information: AOPA.org
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