FAA Airport Grant Funding Delayed
Although the possibility for federal funding increases for airport development looked good during the second half of last year, as of the latest publication of this newsletter we remain without legislation re-authorizing FAA’s Airport Improvement Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2000. During calendar year 1999, the U.S. State of Representatives passed a bill, AIR-21, which would have substantially increased funding for airport grants, in addition to making several other positive improvements for air transportation. However, as the U.S. Senate took a more conservative approach, no compromise between the two Houses of Congress could be reached prior to adjournment last year.
As a result, many of the Texas airport projects scheduled for funding this year have been delayed. Seventeen engineering design and fourteen construction projects have had to be postponed until Congress passes legislation to re-enact the grant program. This delay is indeed unfortunate for the many communities which have been waiting for years, in most instances, for critically needed airport projects.
It is hoped that Congress will make air transportation a priority and take the necessary steps to re-establish the airport grant program soon.
