AOPA works to redirect sales tax on jet fuel
Jack Kemmerly, AOPA's regional representative for California, has been working with various county and city officials to build support for a plan to redirect some or all of the California jet fuel sales tax revenue from the state's general fund to the aeronautics fund.
Currently, California collects about $180 million each year from the sales tax on jet fuel. About $15 million of that money comes from general aviation users. If the money could be redirected to the aeronautics fund, it would be available to help local governments with land use planning activities. It could also provide state money to ensure that federal grant funds don't go unused because local governments are unable to meet the required matching criteria.
Kemmerly has been working with members of the County Supervisors Association of California, the League of California Cities, and the Association of California Airports to develop support for the idea both in local governments and in the state legislature. Such support could also be valuable for promoting other aviation-related measures in future legislative sessions.
Aviation interests discuss future of Sacramento County Airports
A recent meeting among Sacramento County officials and a variety of aviation interests focused on airport users' concerns for the future. Chief among the concerns of all parties was the encroachment of incompatible developments, in many cases residential, on property surrounding most of the county's five airports — Sacramento International Airport, Mather Airport, McClellan Airport, Executive Airport, and Franklin Field. Other issues discussed at the meeting included ground access problems, runway extensions, and additional ramp and maneuvering areas.
Representatives of the county warned that pressure for continued residential development around most of the airports is expected to continue, and county officials may be unable to control that development. They pointed out that the City of Sacramento is expanding along the Interstate 5 corridor toward Sacramento International Airport and that Rancho Cordova is seeking incorporation. That community plans to develop along the Highway 50 corridor and the approach path to Mather Airport.
The meeting, which included Jack Kemmerly, AOPA's regional representative for California, as well as representatives of local chambers of commerce, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, and the Sacramento Air Cargo and Business Association, is the most recent step in a series of ongoing studies expected to lead to new or revised master plans for some of the region's airports. As part of those efforts, the county has "categorized" each of the system's five airports, identifying Sacramento International as an international passenger airport, Mather as a regional air cargo airport, McClellan as a regional aircraft maintenance and business aviation airport, Executive as a general aviation reliever airport, and Franklin Field as a general aviation training airport. Kemmerly has been asked to participate in the ongoing process of studying the airport system to ensure that general aviation has a voice in any future plans.
Aviation legislation overshadowed by energy crisis
The traditional flurry of bills, including those that affect general aviation, did not materialize early in the current legislative session. Concerns about the state's energy needs overshadowed most other business, leaving state legislators little opportunity to deal with issues unrelated to the energy crisis.
Despite the focus on electricity, the state Senate has managed to make some committee assignments. Sen. Kevin D. Murray (D) of Los Angeles will chair the Senate Transportation Committee. Any aviation-related measures would need to pass through this committee. Murray has not been especially kind to aviation interests in the past, although his district does include some of the area surrounding Los Angeles International Airport.
Meanwhile, Sen. Betty Karnette (D), who chaired the transportation committee during the previous session, has indicated an interest in taking a comprehensive look at all transportation modes that affect California's role as a "global gateway." Karnette has indicated that she appreciates the importance of aviation in California's economy, but has mainly focused on air passenger and air cargo operations. AOPA Regional Representative Jack Kemmerly plans to work with the California Transportation Commission and the Department of Transportation to develop aviation-related educational materials for members of the legislature. Those materials will include information on the role of general aviation in the state's economy.
Bill would create jet fuel tax exemption
A new bill in the state Assembly would create an exemption to the two-cent excise tax imposed on the sale of jet fuel. Any user who purchased the fuel at an airport located in an enterprise zone would not be required to pay the tax. The exemption would assist those using jets for general aviation because air carriers, the military, and aircraft manufacturers already are exempt from the tax.
Revenues from the tax are currently dedicated to Caltrans Aeronautics, which uses the money to assist local airports with safety projects, cover part of the matching funds needed for airports to receive federal airport improvement grants, and other projects at general aviation airports. It's not yet clear what impact the bill would have on such projects. The measure, A.B.243, was coauthored by Sen. Pete Knight, who has traditionally been a friend to aviation.
Meanwhile, a bill introduced by Sen. Jackie Speier could develop into a renewed effort to impose noise-related restrictions on users of Van Nuys Airport and similar urban business-oriented airports. S.B.244 appears to be what is known as a "spot bill." In its current form, the bill simply includes language identical to that in the existing Public Utility Code. But the meat of the bill could be changed at a later date, and observers think it may ultimately be aimed at operations at Van Nuys and similar airports. Speier supported a recent measure to impose restrictions on users of that airport, but the measure, S.B.2036, was ultimately vetoed by the governor.
Butte County adopts land use plan
After holding two years of public hearings and spending more than $100,000 in consulting fees, Butte County has adopted a comprehensive land use plan. Brian Baldridge, Airport Support Network volunteer for Chico Municipal Airport, says the recently adopted plan is the first of the so-called new-generation comprehensive land use plans in the state. The plan represents a compromise between airport interests and developers. City and county officials now have 180 days to either override the plan or to incorporate it into their own general plans. Baldridge has taken city council members, newspaper reporters, and county supervisors for airplane rides so that they can view the airport and surrounding developments from above.
Stockton completes construction, seeks new grant
Stockton Metropolitan Airport has recently completed a major construction project and is seeking additional federal funds for improvements to the facility. A project to reconstruct the primary runway, install high-intensity runway lighting, put up new signs, relocate the localizer, build a blast fence, and perform sundry other improvements is just about finished. Airport Support Network volunteer Dick Mesa reports that the only remaining work to be done is the final reflective bead striping, which has been delayed because of weather.
Meanwhile, the airport is seeking an additional grant of $2.2 million. That money would be used to extend Runway 29R. The process of collecting state and local matching funds is ongoing.
In other airport news, the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors has selected Barry Rondinella to serve as the new airport manager. Rondinella will replace Dan DeAngelis, who retired last September and has since been working part time on behalf of the airport. Rondinella has served as assistant general manager for the Santa Maria Airport District since 1998.
Development voted down at Hawthorne
The airport land use commission for Los Angeles County has voted unanimously against a proposed Lowe's development near Jack Northrop Field/Hawthorne Municipal Airport. The commission voted against the development after determining that the project is incompatible with land use commission guidelines.
Corona municipal gets new unicom, fuel
Corona Municipal Airport is changing its unicom frequency. Effective March 22, the new frequency will be 122.7 MHz. In addition, airport users now have two options for fuel, including self-serve fuel from Corona Air Service, reports Airport Support Network volunteer Stephen Whitson.
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