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Teno told to lobby for AIR 21 in Congress • Passage of legislation would ensure more fed grants to CNMI
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Posted on Aug 10 1999
The U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has asked Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio to request the U.S. Senate for the immediate passage of the Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century.
In seeking Tenorio’s support for the proposed measure, committee chair Rep. Bud Shuster (R-PA) said “the historic legislation would ensure that our aviation system remains safe, efficient and competitive as we prepare for the tremendous growth in air travel expected in the first decade of the 21st Century.”
The Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21) is a comprehensive five-year re-authorization of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Airport Improvement Program.
Commonwealth Ports Authority Executive Director Carlos H. Salas said the CNMI is assured of increased federal grants once the proposed measure is passed by the U.S. Congress.
The ports authority submitted a five-year plan with the Federal Aviation Administration for its three airports on Saipan, Tinian and Rota. With its declining revenues, the ports authority has been able to carry out some of its airport improvement projects through the FAA grants.
AIR 21 responds to the governor’s policy adopted at the National Governor’s Association’s 1999 annual winter meeting by ensuring that taxes paid into the Airport and Airway Trust Fund are invested to modernize air traffic control system, expand capacity of most congested airports and improve service to small and under-served communities.
It also preserves the traditional general fund contribution to FAA’s operations, as the governors have sought, which is a critical part of the AIR 21 legislation given a move by House and Senate Appropriators to eliminate all general funding for FAA in FY 2000.
Aside from Shuster, those who signed the letter include Rep. John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-TN), chair of Aviation Subcommittee, and ranking members Rep. James L. Oberstar (D-IL) William O. Lipinski (D-MN).
