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National Association of Counties
National Conference of State Legislatures
U.S. Conference of Mayors
September 26, 2001
The Honorable J. Dennis Hastert
Speaker of the House of Representatives
Office of the House of Representatives
H-232 Capitol Building
Washington, DC 20515-6501
Dear Mr. Speaker:
We want to commend you on your response to the crisis facing American aviation. The nation's air transportation system has been deeply impacted by the recent tragedy.
We are writing at this time to urge you to consider the serious financial situation facing the nation's airports. As you are aware, the nation's airports are largely publicly owned facilities -- either city, county and state government operations or through regional public authorities. Like the airlines, our nation's airports have suffered substantial revenue losses as a result of the shut down and continuing slowdown in air travel, including reduced landing fees, Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs), parking fees, and other revenues that now support the operations at the nation's airports. Additionally, the Airports and Airways Trust Fund, which is funded by the federal ticket tax and assists with airport infrastructure projects, is also threatened with declining receipts. The loss of revenue from all these funding sources directly impact local and state governments' ability to meet outstanding bond obligations associated with airports, to operate airport facilities, and could also cause the cancellation or delay of planned capital improvement projects. At the same time, available airport resources are now being redirected toward airport security and related improvements to meet new demands in the wake of September 11. We are now reviewing proposals to help carry our nation's airports through this difficult period of reduced air travel and financial constraints at airports.
We also want to underscore our strong support for increased security requirements at our nation's airports. We believe strong actions are necessary to help Americans feel safer flying now and in the future. There will be both immediate and long term costs associated with increased security requirements and we strongly urge the federal government to consider a wide range of flexible federal funding options to help pay for this enhanced security. Among the priorities that we have identified is the "federalization" of passenger and baggage screening. We support legislative efforts to move rapidly toward the federalization of these activities.
Our members, who are charged with the operations and oversight of America's airports, now find themselves in the position of having to make major operational and funding decisions about the future of the airports under their jurisdiction. As representatives of state and local governments, we stand ready to work with you to develop a strategy to meet the safety, security, and capacity needs of the nation.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,
Larry E. Naake
Executive Director
National Association of Counties (NACo)
William T. Pound
Executive Director
National Conference of State Legislatures
J. Thomas Cochran
Executive Director
U. S. Conference of Mayors (USCM)
CC:
- Mr. Don Young
Chair, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
- Mr. James Oberstar
Ranking Member, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
- Members of House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
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