Finally!!! New Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Program Reauthorization:
After a delay of almost five years, Congress has finally passed a new FAA programs reauthorization. Since September 1, 2007, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has been receiving FAA funding piecemeal through a series of continuing resolutions; 27 to be specific. This new four-year legislation will enable the TxDOT Aviation Division to better plan funding allocations for future airport improvement projects.
Highlights of the new legislation include:
(1) Authorizes FAA funding for a period of four years;
(2) Establishes a $ 3.35B level of funding for the Airport Improvement Program for each of the four years. This is a reduction of approximately 4% as compared to previous legislation;
(3) Retains the current tax structure that existed in previous legislation. No new taxed were authorized;
(4) Allows “Thru-The-Fence” access to FAA obligated airports when certain conditions are met;
(5) Permits diversion of revenue from on airport mineral rights to other local governmental needs under certain conditions;
(6) Increases the federal participation for construction of “non-fed” towers from $1.5B to $2.0B;
(7) Allows 16 new non-stop commercial airline flights to Washington Reagan National Airport from points in the western region of the United States.
If you have any questions regarding this new legislation contact the Aviation Division at 1-800-68PILOT.
Welcome To Two New Members of the Aviation Division Staff:
I am pleased to announce the addition of two new individuals to the Aviation Division family: Molly Lamrouex and Barbara Linzey. Molly came to us following several years with the Michigan Aviation Division and will be working in our Planning section primarily handling environmental issues. Barbara came to us from the Motor Vehicle Department and will be working in our Grants Section. We are very pleased to have both of these ladies join our Aviation Team.