February 4, 2013
Dear NBAA Member,
As 2013 gets underway, and a newly elected Congress confronts an unpredictable legislative landscape, it’s important that the voice of all general aviation, including business aviation, is heard on Capitol Hill. With this message, I’m asking you to take a step that can help ensure that an important group of Congressional lawmakers can continue its mission of promoting general aviation’s value.
All that’s required is a few minutes of your time to utilize a valuable online NBAA resource to encourage your elected officials to join their respective General Aviation (GA) Caucuses.
Congressional caucuses are informal groups of lawmakers who recognize the importance of particular causes, or segments of the economy. The House and Senate GA Caucuses, which were first formed in 2009, enjoy strong, bipartisan membership, and are among the largest and most active in Congress.
The caucuses will be vital in the coming year, as those serving in the 113th Congress face a policy environment that could have repercussions for general aviation.
Specifically, the uncertain budget situation means that aviation user fees or other onerous proposals could be offered as “revenue raisers” that could help government avoid a so-called “fiscal cliff.”
As you know, the White House has repeatedly proposed a $100 per-flight user fee to raise revenues for several purposes, including as a debt reducer. The concept was introduced into the negotiations over debt reduction in 2011, and as those negotiations are taken up again this year, user fees or other ideas for raising revenues could again be on the table.
Fortunately, our extended aviation community has a group of allies in the GA Caucuses, who have continually worked to inform legislative debates by highlighting the value of general aviation in creating jobs, helping companies succeed, connecting communities and supporting humanitarian endeavors. In the course of the 2012 elections, however, the ranks of the caucuses were thinned, as members retired or lost their re-election bids.
That makes it more important than ever for NBAA and its Members to reach out to all representatives, and urge them to join their GA Caucuses in recognition of the industry’s value.
NBAA’s “Contact Congress” resource allows you to quickly and easily do just that.
Please take a moment to fill out this short form [form closed] to let your elected representatives know how important business aviation is to you and your community, and to urge them to consider joining the House or Senate GA Caucuses.
As the fiscal cliff debate continues to unfold, NBAA will remain vigilant about its potential impact on business aviation. With your help, we can also ensure that an important group of Congressional champions is continually at work to support all of general aviation – an essential American industry.
Thank you for your continued efforts and support.
Sincerely,
Ed Bolen
President and CEO
National Business Aviation Association
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.