Poberezny Briefs Petri on GA's Opposition to User Fees
EAA president meets with ranking member of House Aviation Subcommittee
February 21, 2007 - EAA President Tom Poberezny reinforced EAA's strong opposition to the Bush Administration's user fee/fuel tax hike proposal during a meeting Wednesday morning in Oshkosh with Congressman Tom Petri, ranking member of the House Aviation Subcommittee. Petri (R-WI) represents the state's 6th congressional district, home to EAA headquarters.
"Congressman Petri is well aware of EAA and general aviation's united opposition to the administration's proposal and the potential consequences it would have on aviation," Poberezny said. "Our position is that the present system works. The Airport and Airway Trust Fund is collecting record revenues and is projected to continue to do so. The new system as proposed would initially result in less revenue collected, compromise the much needed growth in the general aviation community, and result in less congressional oversight and more influence on the national airspace system by the airline industry."
Congressman Petri reiterated his support for general aviation and said that the future funding needs for the national airspace system need to be determined before deciding on a new funding mechanism. His objective in the reauthorization bill is to ensure that the United States remains the world leader in aviation.
