FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: PRESS SECRETARY |
March 15, 2000 | (202) 225-5206 |
NH Eligible to Receive $21.3 Million in Funding Washington, D.C. -U.S. Representative Charles Bass (R-NH02) hailed final passage today of a $40 billion aviation bill that would fund long overdue investments in the nations airports and make the skies safer for the flying public. The House voted 319-101 in favor of the Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR-21), which would make New Hampshire eligible to receive $21.3 million in federal funding. "This bill would benefit all sectors of the airport and airway system," said Bass. "It bolsters safety by providing substantially more money for runways and other equipment at airports, increasing funding to modernize our antiquated air traffic control system, and ensuring the FAA has the funds to hire and train air traffic controllers, maintenance technicians, and safety inspectors. The bill would also increase airport capacity, which will not only reduce delays, but will also inject a healthy shot of competition into the airline industry." Under the bill, which awaits the President's signature, New Hampshire would receive a 100 percent increase in federal funding next year, with the Manchester Airport eligible for a total of $11,165,962 and Lebanon Municipal Airport eligible to receive a total of $3,000,000 over the next three years. The bill would increase aviation investment by $10 billion over current levels. The total authorized funding for federal aviation programs would be $40 billion over the next three years, $33 billion of which will be guaranteed from the aviation trust fund, while $6.7 billion will be available to be appropriated from the general fund. "This bill unlocks the aviation trust fund," added Bass. "For years we neglected our transportation needs and allowed the surpluses in the transportation trust funds to accrue in order to mask the size of the budget deficit. This bill would help instill honesty in the budget process and provide the necessary funding that airports need to keep pace with the dramatic increase in air travelers." Bass is an instrument rated pilot who sits on the House Aviation Subcommittee. The Second District Congressman also served on the conference committee that hammered out a final agreement on AIR-21. The final bill also includes two measures Bass introduced. One would require emergency locator transmitters in airplanes like the one that went down near Lebanon in December 1996 and was just recently located. The other would require a $1.5 million recycled materials study in which the University of New Hampshire's would qualify to participate. New Hampshire's Three Year Funding Levels Under AIR-21 Compromise Bill New Hampshire State Entitlement over three years is $7,117,995, which includes the following for general aviation airports: Berlin Municipal Airport $258,333 Claremont Municipal Airport $450,000 Concord Municipal Airport $450,000 Dillant-Hopkins (Keene) $450,000 Laconia Municipal Airport $283,332 Boire Field (Nashua) $450,000 Pease International $450,000 Skyhaven (Rochester) $330,000 Mt. Washington Regional Airport $185,334 In addition, New Hampshire's primary airports would receive the following over three years: Manchester Airport $11,165,962 (includes $861,196.80 for cargo) Lebanon Airport $3,000,000
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