AOPA is supporting a bill in the Oregon House that would use lottery bond funds to pay for transportation projects that include upgrading rural airports.
“Aviation infrastructure is too often neglected as a priority for financial support, although it is a vital part of any state’s transportation system,” AOPA President Craig Fuller wrote in a letter of support to Oregon Gov. Theodore Kulongoski. “We are glad your administration has recognized the value of Oregon’s airports system and are willing to make it a priority for state funding.”
Oregon H.B.2001 would allow the state treasurer to issue up to $100 million in lottery bonds to fund the state’s “multimodal transportation fund,” and rural airports would get about five percent of the total.
Dan Clem, Oregon’s aviation director, said funds spent on improving rural airports will help the state’s economy.
“One way we are fighting the recession in Oregon is by investing in these airports as an integral part of the state transportation system and the economy as a whole,” he said.
