CAA: GA News, "General Aviation Bill Introduced in California"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@xxxxxxxxx>]

Monday, February 25, 2002

First-Ever General Aviation Bill Introduced in California
Press Release


SACRAMENTO, Ca., - A bill to improve safety and security at California's
General Aviation airports was introduced on Friday. California State
Assembly Bill 2719 - The 2002 General Aviation Bill, was the outgrowth
of meetings by an alliance of state aviation interests including airport
managers, GA business interests, and pilots. 
 
Operating on the belief that all airports, regardless of size, are
portals to the entire national air transportation grid, major cities,
and other vulnerable strategically important locations, participants
developed initial language for AB 2719 that funds critically important
safety and security enhancements at GA airports.  
 
The measure will implement several recommendations which were developed
over the last few years by an industry advisory group. It will be funded
using jet fuel sales tax revenue which exceeds $100,000,000 annually but
which currently goes directly into the State's general fund. AB 2719
will return up to $19,000,000 of this aviation money the first year to
safety and security needs at GA airports.  
 
California's airports are a powerful economic engine and provide vital
transportation infrastructure in support of the state's commerce,
agriculture, fire fighting, air ambulance and local air service
requirements. AB 2719 was introduced by 31 year old Republican
Assemblyman Abel Maldonado, an instrument-rated pilot who flies a King
Air to the State Capitol every week from his coastal home in Santa
Maria. "I'm with you" he declared when asked to carry the measure.
 
Maldonado serves on critically important committees which have
jurisdiction over this issue, such as the Appropriations, Budget,
Transportation and the Budget Sub-Committee for Information Technology
and Transportation. 

The assemblyman is president and a partner of his family's business,
Agro-Jal Farming Enterprises. Agro-Jal grows and processes broccoli,
cauliflower, lettuce and strawberries on 1100 acres in the Santa Maria
Valley, and employs 250 people.
 
Maldonado is the former mayor of Santa Maria. During his tenure in city
government, he became known as a leader who was able to "get things
done."


   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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