Response from Ben Nelson, D-NE regarding user fees:
December 15,
2006
Mr. Jack Silver
<Address deleted>
Dear Jack:
Thank you for contacting me regarding issues related to the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). I was glad to receive
your letter on these important matters.
As Congress continues discussions on the reauthorization of the
FAA during the 110th Congress, financing our aviation system to
keep up with the demand on the system into the future will be the
biggest, and most contentious, issue we deal with as part of these
discussions.
First, the FAA has stated that the taxes and fees supporting the
Airport and Airways Trust Fund will expire in 2007 and that the
fund's balance will soon go below zero. I understand the concerns
general aviation has with respect to proposals which have been
floated calling for increased user fees on general aviation as a way
to pay for use of the national air system. I would be hesitant to
support an effort that would simply shift the burden of financing
from one segment of the aviation industry to another. The current
system of using aviation taxes and the U.S. Department of the
Treasury's general fund financing has served us well, and we
should be very cautious about considering any attempt to abandon
that system. I also believe general aviation must have input into
any financing plan which comes out of the FAA.
Second, the general fund's share of FAA appropriations has
declined by 2 percent in each of the last four years, from 24
percent in 2003 to an estimated 18 percent in 2006. Clearly,
taxpayers deserve the scrutiny of Congress regarding how our
general funds are spent; however, the public also expects safe,
efficient air travel. Therefore, I think the FAA's continued use of
general funds is warranted.
Lastly, I think it is appropriate, as Congress takes up FAA
reauthorization legislation, to look at where there could be more
flexibility within the FAA, but the safety of air travel must be our
first priority. We should be extremely cautious in abdicating any
Congressional oversight over the FAA and should only do so
where it is clearly necessary.
Thank you again for contacting me, Jack. Your comments and
concerns are an important part of the legislative process, and I
encourage you to continue sharing your thoughts and ideas.
Sincerely,
Ben Nelson
U.S. Senator
December 15,
2006
Mr. Jack Silver
<Address deleted>
Dear Jack:
Thank you for contacting me regarding issues related to the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). I was glad to receive
your letter on these important matters.
As Congress continues discussions on the reauthorization of the
FAA during the 110th Congress, financing our aviation system to
keep up with the demand on the system into the future will be the
biggest, and most contentious, issue we deal with as part of these
discussions.
First, the FAA has stated that the taxes and fees supporting the
Airport and Airways Trust Fund will expire in 2007 and that the
fund's balance will soon go below zero. I understand the concerns
general aviation has with respect to proposals which have been
floated calling for increased user fees on general aviation as a way
to pay for use of the national air system. I would be hesitant to
support an effort that would simply shift the burden of financing
from one segment of the aviation industry to another. The current
system of using aviation taxes and the U.S. Department of the
Treasury's general fund financing has served us well, and we
should be very cautious about considering any attempt to abandon
that system. I also believe general aviation must have input into
any financing plan which comes out of the FAA.
Second, the general fund's share of FAA appropriations has
declined by 2 percent in each of the last four years, from 24
percent in 2003 to an estimated 18 percent in 2006. Clearly,
taxpayers deserve the scrutiny of Congress regarding how our
general funds are spent; however, the public also expects safe,
efficient air travel. Therefore, I think the FAA's continued use of
general funds is warranted.
Lastly, I think it is appropriate, as Congress takes up FAA
reauthorization legislation, to look at where there could be more
flexibility within the FAA, but the safety of air travel must be our
first priority. We should be extremely cautious in abdicating any
Congressional oversight over the FAA and should only do so
where it is clearly necessary.
Thank you again for contacting me, Jack. Your comments and
concerns are an important part of the legislative process, and I
encourage you to continue sharing your thoughts and ideas.
Sincerely,
Ben Nelson
U.S. Senator
