|
| |
PLEASE READ THIS AND SEND A LETTER
Here is a copy of a letter that may help you send your letters to our Government
Officials in DISAPPROVAL OF THE NEW FAA FUNDING PLAN NOW BEING DEBATED IN
CONGRESS.
EVERY PILOT and Citizen in this great country needs
to take part in this effort.
WE HAVE A VERY LOUD COLLECTIVE VOICE, THIS
ADMINISTRATION NEEDS TO HEAR US NOW OR IN THE VOTING BOOTH.
I also included the links to the AOPA most recent
posting and how to find your Congressman and Senators address.
PLEASE SEND THEM ALL A LETTER AND AN E-MAIL, LETTERS
are best.
http://www.house.gov/zip/ZIP2Rep.html
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2007/070220funding.html
http://www.house.gov/saxton/
27 February 2007
Washington, D.C. Office
2217 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone -- (202) 225-4765
FAX -- (202) 225-0778
Burlington County Contact Info
100 High Street
Mount Holly, New Jersey 08060
Phone -- (609) 261-5800
FAX -- (609) 261-1275
Cherry Hill Contact Info
Phone -- (856) 428-0520
FAX -- 609-261-1275
Ocean County Contact Info
247 Main Street
Toms River, New Jersey 08753
Phone -- (732) 914-2020
FAX -- (732) 914-8351
Dear Congressman Jim Saxton,
I am writing as a private pilot; with concern that
recent
administration requests to restructure FAA revenue
sources is
unnecessary, wasteful and counter productive. While
administration
tax cutting rhetoric has irresistible political appeal,
the reality
is that the current funding mechanisms built the
world-standard in
aviation safety. In other words, the existing system
functions well
and isn't broken. No doubt there is room for tweaking
here and there
and creative thinking about the future but nothing
radical has been
justified.
The administration's proposals, if implemented, would
lead to greater
funding uncertainty, decreased passenger safety and a
serious
economic impact on private pilots (a majority) who
cannot pass along
increased operating costs. I also believe that allowing
an agency to
generate revenue sources, outside congressional
oversight, is
unwise. An example of unintended consequences is FDA's
user-fee
based system that allows pharmaceutical companies to pay
for "expedited review" of new drugs. This was justified
to allow FDA
to hire additional reviewers to "fast-track" new drugs
onto pharmacy
shelves and into the waiting hands of eager physicians
and well
informed consumers. It turns out that faster safety
review isn't
necessarily better review and that this mentality has
contributed to
a spate of product withdrawals and erosion of public
confidence in
government oversight of drug safety. I would prefer we
not repeat
this mistake with the FAA.
Given what we now pay in taxes, in all forms and levels,
the further
insult of nickel and dime funding for aviation would be
the last
straw for many. Surely the greatest country on earth can
manage
those few essential functions required of our FAA
without tinkering
with the funding mechanisms. If the current
administrator claims she
hasn't the funding to meet her responsibilities, please
ask to see
her priorities and help her start trimming the fluff. If
you need
help in doing this there are many non-governmental
aviation groups
who will be glad to assist. All we seek is an honest and
transparent
way to fund those few activities judged to have the
greatest impact
on aviation safety. This is all I expect the FAA to do
and why I
seek your support.
Respectfully Yours,
PLEASE ENTER YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS
|
