INSIDE WASHINGTON/Locals watch aviation bill’s progress
City and county leaders say they are relying on Rep. Bud Shuster’s political acumen to help pass aviation legislation this year – legislation they claim is critical to the safe and successful operation of the nation’s airports. Their stake in the legislation is significant since most airports are owned and/or operated by cites and counties.
“If anyone can get this bill passed, Shuster is the one,” says Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. “He really understands how important airport investment is to the economic health of cities, metro regions and the nation.”
Shuster and Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.), the ranking member on the House Transportation Committee, spearheaded the legislation in the House, which overwhelmingly passed the Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century in June. The act increases airport spending by $14 billion over the next five years.
Bob Fogel, associate legislative director for the National Association of Counties, agrees that bill is critical and wants to see the Senate follow the House’s lead. He says it has been difficult for local officials to watch from the sidelines while Washington lawmakers argue over money locals say they desperately need. “It has been frustrating for us because we would like to see this thing wrapped up,” Fogel says. “There are some significant changes in this program, and they are important.”
Several of the House bill’s components, such as increased federal funding for noise abatement projects; runway improvements; and the creation of a new program to help promote the use of small under-served airports, have drawn the attention of local leaders. The latter is particularly important to the future economic growth for cities and counties, because businesses are more likely to relocate operations or headquarters to areas served by a reliable airport.
Local officials are banking on Shuster, a Pennsylvania Republican who serves as chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, to push the bill through Congress when lawmakers return later this month. Shuster already has a reputation among local officials for doling out federal dollars to help build roads and highways in their communities.
But, so far, getting the Senate to agree to the House bill’s provisions has not been easy. House and Senate negotiators still are miles apart on the handful of issues that doomed its passage last year.
For example, the House proposes a bill worth $57 billion for aviation infrastructure improvements that would run through 2004, while the Senate advocates only a $34 billion increase that would end in 2002. Additionally, the House wants to increase the passenger facility charge from $3 to $6, but the Senate is balking.
However, the biggest disagreement involves whether to take the Aviation Trust Fund “off-budget,” as is the Highway Trust Fund. If the trust fund – a ticket tax paid by passengers – were to be taken off-budget, then everything in it would be earmarked solely for aviation projects. Senate and White House advocates favor keeping the trust fund as part of the general fund. However, while everything is technically negotiable, it is unlikely that House negotiators will bend on the trust fund provision.
Still, there is hope. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) said in November that passing the bill is “going to have to be done next year.” And passing the bill is a top priority for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), chairman of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, because of its safety initiatives and airport improvement funding.