Regional Affairs

Contact your governor to sign airport funding bill

Florida's legislature has passed House Bill 985, and the next stop is Gov. Charlie Crist's desk. Now it's time to do your part and encourage him to sign this important bill for publicly owned, public-use Florida airports. AOPA President Phil Boyer wrote the governor this week to urge him to sign the bill. The legislation will help local governments access federal Airport Improvement Program funds with fewer local dollars. The bill also gives the Florida Department of Transportation the ability to grant State Infrastructure Bank loans to an airport for immediate repair of infrastructure damage due to an emergency like a tornado or hurricane, while awaiting money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. By contacting the governor's office, you can help Florida improve its air transportation system.

June 1, 2007