Regional Affairs

Don’t empty aviation fund to solve budget woes, AOPA urges

A plan to cut $15 million from Arizona’s aeronautics budget to help resolve the state’s financial problems is meeting with strong opposition from AOPA. In a March 19 letter to Gov. Janet Napolitano, AOPA President Phil Boyer asked for a more balanced approach to the budget and warned that virtually emptying the aviation fund could prevent airports from making needed improvements. “Aviation generates a tiny part of the Department of Transportation’s income—one half of one percent—but it is being asked to provide more than two-thirds of the money the department would contribute to solving the state’s budget problems,” Boyer said. “Gutting the state’s aviation fund this way is not only unfair, it’s unwise because it damages the future viability of Arizona’s airports.”

March 21, 2008