CAA: GA News, "South Carolina Legislature Bumps Aviation Budget by $500,000"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@cwnet.com>]

Friday, May 26, 2000

SOUTH CAROLINA LEGISLATURE BUMPS AVIATION BUDGET BY $500,000
GA News


COLUMBIA, South Carolina — South Carolina’s aviation budget is due to expand
now that the state Legislature has approved annual increases of $500,000 for
airport maintenance and improvement projects.

“It’s a start, and it’s a good start,” said Aeronautics Director Ira “Bud”
Coward. “Knowing those funding sources will be available each and every year
will allow us to plan for maintaining the airport infrastructure. And of
course, leveraging FAA dollars is very important in terms of leveraging AIR
21.”

South Carolina had been earmarking $550,000 annually for aviation. Since the
federal government is due to increase the rate it spends money from the
aviation trust fund, many states will likewise be increasing their aviation
budgets to match the FAA dollars.

Most airport projects receive 90% FAA funding, with state and local sponsors
splitting the remaining 10%.

Coward credits the South Carolina Aviation Association (SCAA) and the
aviation-minded leadership of Representative Mark Kelley and Senator Phil
Leventis for shepherding the legislation.

The South Carolina Aviation Association altered its strategy for the recent
legislative session. The association had previously suggested that aviation
funds could be increased if the Legislature removed the air carriers’
exemption on fuel taxes. The airlines fought that idea. This time out, the
SCAA went for funds from the general budget, thereby winning support from a
broad range of aviation interests.

“We’ve got 100% unity now that we don’t get opposition from some of our
stronger members,” said SCAA President Joe Frasher.

The governor was expected to sign the budget by the end of May. Meanwhile,
aviation supporters are eager for even more funds, which many legislators
seem amenable to considering. The Senate’s version of the new legislation
initially called for an increase of $1.5 million in the aviation budget.

“Five hundred thousand dollars is just the money going in,” said Frasher,
who also serves as executive director of Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU).
“We’re trying to build it brick by brick, and hopefully get additional funds
in the future.”

Said Coward of the budget increase: “I think it will bring nothing but good
things for our airports in the state.”


   Post your opinion on this story in the CAA General Aviation Forum
http://www.californiaaviation.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?conf=DCConfID2

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