"Senators Back Airports in Dispute with Transportation Security Administration"

Thursday, June 10, 2004

Senators Back Airports in Dispute with Transportation Security
Administration
The Fort Worth (TX) Star-Telegram


A bipartisan coalition of 12 influential senators is taking up
Dallas/Fort Worth Airport's side in a multimillion-dollar funding feud
with the federal Transportation Security Administration that will affect
other busy airports.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, has rallied 11 fellow lawmakers,
including Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry, D-Mass., in
pressing the Senate Appropriations Committee to pay a larger portion of
airports' costs for building expensive in-line baggage handling systems.

A federal authorization law passed last year sets the government's share
for an in-line system, which streamlines security and baggage handling,
at 90 percent of the cost.

Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and
Seattle-Tacoma airports have similar cost-sharing arrangements with the
TSA.

"Congress' position and current law couldn't be clearer," Hutchison
said. "We must fully fund aviation security and help our airports
shoulder this burden. I am pleased so many leading senators have joined
me in this effort."

TSA officials say they agreed to pay 75 percent -- $21 million less in
D/FW's case. In addition, President Bush has recommended 75 percent and
TSA officials believe that Congress, in a tight budget year, will only
appropriate 75 percent.

"The decision will ultimately be made by Congress," TSA spokeswoman
Andrea McCauley said.

Kevin Cox, D/FW's chief operating officer, characterized baggage funding
as "an uphill battle" and said support in both the Senate and House is
appreciated.


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