Action CenterALERT: FIGHT REPEAL OF THE NY AVIATION JOBS ACT!
In 2015, New York took bold action to reverse the economically damaging tax policy unique among the Northeastern states that had effectively eliminated our state as a primary destination for business aviation. Since enacting the Aviation Jobs Act (AJA), New York’s airports and aviation industries are experiencing a renaissance that continues to create permanent, high quality aviation jobs benefitting middle- and lower-income families. Memories are short in Albany, but those who remember how things were now recognize how AJA dramatically leveled the playing field with surrounding states for aviation businesses and jobs. Prior to AJA’s passage, nearly every neighboring state provided a superior business environment for based aircraft. As a result, we lost 700 based aircraft over a ten-year period. Now there’s a dangerous and disingenuous proposal to raise taxes by repealing the AJA. If enacted, this proposal would return us to a time just a few short years ago when aviation job creation and economic progress for airports was predominantly happening in communities outside New York; certainly not here. Destroying the AJA would not hurt the 1% – the state’s highest earners who are the stated target of those favoring repeal. Instead, it’s the 50% – our middle-class workers and families who rely on the aviation industry for their livelihoods – who would suffer. The state Department of Transportation estimates that one corporate aircraft can generate $1 million in spending annually and five direct jobs at the airport where it locates. These direct jobs include aircraft and avionics mechanics, airfield operations specialists, fuel suppliers, cleaning crews, pilots, co-pilots, flight engineers, and hangar and other facility construction jobs to name a few of the beneficiaries. Indirect employment includes jobs in hospitality, ground transportation, marketing, tourism, catering and many other sectors. Before AJA, the revenue to the state from taxing planes was de minimis, as owners of business jets were basing their aviation assets in other states that have no tax or more favorable tax treatment. They will do the same if the AJA is repealed, further damaging our state’s economy and aviation industry by eliminating middle-class jobs and reducing fuel tax revenues. The benefits of AJA to New York and its citizens have been and continue to be dramatic. Visit the NYAMA website at www.nyama.aero to see for yourself what is happening at our state’s airports since the AJA was enacted. January 20, 2020 Click Here for NYAMA Opposition Memo Stay tuned and check back to see when NYAMA will be activating this Alert for 2022 Visit the Aviation Jobs Act page to see how the AJA is changing the direction of aviation in New York State NYAMA, the VOICE of Aviation in New York State NYAMA represents over 13,000 members and affiliate members, 464 commercial, public and private airports and heliports, fixed based operators, consultants, engineers and other aviation industries and professionals who believe that serious economic development efforts at the state and regional level necessitate strong public investment in our aviation assets and facilities. NYAMA seeks to work with the Legislature and the Governor to realize the full potential of NY’s airports and aviation industries as the driver of new, high-quality and sustainable jobs, and to attract greater private sector investment. The last few years were highlighted by important initiatives as part of the State Budgets to bolster state investments in airports. The additional Aviation Capital Grant Program funding and the Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition represents a significant increase in the state’s continued commitment to addressing the critical maintenance and modernization needs of many of our airports throughout the state. The NY aviation community seeks to build on these initiatives. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AT NYS AIRPORTS The New York Aviation Management Association (NYAMA) is urging New York State to reinstate permits issued under very limited circumstances that would allow for the continued use of safe and proven wildlife control methods by trained professionals at and around the state’s airports. State law prohibits the shooting of deer by hunters with a rifle in Long Island and Westchester County. Thus far, the state Assembly is not willing to grant authority to the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to continue to issue waivers from this restriction for airport wildlife management efforts. That leaves shotguns, a less effective tool, as the sole firearm method to remove the threat of deer. Click Here to Read the Full Statement • The economic benefits of New York State airports are impressive. According to data from the New York State Department of Transportation and updated figures from the Port Authority of NY-NJ, the aviation industry contributes over $72.3 billion in annual economic activity in New York State and more than 506,372 NY based jobs in aviation or aviation-related industries, generates $25.8 billion in payroll and well over $6 billion in state and local tax revenue annually. • The aviation industry in New York State needs a robust, reoccurring long-term state capital investment program to sustain and expand on this impressive economic growth and job creation generator. • NYSDOT released a study in 2010, “Economic Impacts of Aviation”, that clearly demonstrated and concluded that strategic public investments in airports is essential to long-term economic recovery and growth. NYAMA is urging for this study to be updated with current information that is reflective of the present day economic benefits from New York State airports. |