February 9, 2010-Joel Russell, President and Carl Beardsley, Vice President of the New York Aviation Management Association (NYAMA) presented testimony before the NYS Joint Legislative Budget Committee on Transportation and the Budget Committee on Taxes. NYAMA used the opportunity to express alarm with the Governor's budget proposal as it threatens to disable the economic engine-the state's aviation industry-that drives a significant portion of the state's economy and sustainable jobs market.

New York's aviation industry is responsible for over $35 billion in annual economic activity, employs more than 350,000 state residents and generates $2.8 billion in State and local taxes annually.

NYAMA called for increased support for the FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) state match and the restoration of language that allows for the transfer of unallocated AIP funds to the state AIR 99 airport grant program.

5 Year Capital Plan

NYAMA continues to be your advocate for aviation in New York. We are gearing up quickly for a new legislative season and there are many important discussions we must have with legislators. Our Board has been very active in reviewing the current legislative activities and thinking through our priorities for the coming year.

Recently, the New York State Department of Transportation released its 5 Year Capital Plan. The capital plan is intended to represent the financing needed to support the entire state highway system; state, county, city and village roads and local bridges; capital needs of public transportation systems other than the MTA; and passenger and freight rail, port and aviation capital projects. NYAMA objects to the level of funding the plan dedicates to aviation projects-$101 million-as being far less than is necessary to maintain important aviation infrastructure and services. This funding is needed to assist in the development of aircraft hangars, repairs of existing facilities, safety enhancements and other important projects.  NYAMA is urging lawmakers to appropriate at least $145 million over the next 5 years for these purposes.

Since then we have testified before the Transportation Committees of both the Senate and the Assembly. We have also contacted the Executive Branch and plan to meet on this issue. We are pressing legislators to ask to why there is a 30% reduction for aviation when other transportation sectors are projected for increases of as much as 40% to the tune of BILLIONS of dollars!

New Aviation Jobs Bill

Last year, we were very successful in eliminating a proposed Luxury Tax on aircraft and the Sales Tax on the Maintenance and Service of GA Aircraft. However, we are still very concerned about the new Charter Tax that was implemented just this year as well as the Sales Tax on the Purchase of GA Aircraft.

Therefore, we are renewing our attempts to discuss an "Aviation Jobs Bill" with legislators. The elimination of these taxes will create parity with neighboring states and allow the industry to develop its own revenue. This will in turn create jobs and generate significant income tax revenue for the state.

What You Can Do!

1.       Mark your calendar to come to Albany for Advocacy Day on March 23, 2010. We will make appointments with key legislators representing districts with airports. We need you to come share your story!

2.       Please use the sponsorship form found here to support our efforts before, during and after Advocacy Day.

3.       Write a letter today! We need your help in securing letters stating how these taxes affect business at your airport. We are already aware that the Charter Tax has driven many planes out of state-but legislators are not! Please address the letter to your representatives letting them know how many aircraft were lost, to which states, and how much revenue has been lost. Also, please be sure to send a copy of your letters to our office at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . I want to be able to personally hand the letters to each legislator I meet.

Aviation stands ready to be a critical economic engine moving the state forward. Help us make that happen!

Legislation supported by NYAMA to increase penalties for unauthorized solicitation of ground transportation at airports was given final passage by the Senate in a special session in September was subsequently signed into law by Governor Paterson.

The New York Aviation Management Association (NYAMA) supported A4552-1 (Aubry) / S5643 (Dilan) to increase the penalties for unlawful solicitation of ground transportation services at airports and make it a printable offense.

A person unlawfully solicits ground transportation services at an airport when at an airport, such person without being authorized to do so by the airport operator, or without having made a prior agreement to provide ground transportation services to a specific patron, offers or engages in any business, trade or commercial transactions involving ground transportation services.

Too often, passengers unfamiliar with ground transportation options at an airport are solicited by illegal drivers upon exiting the terminal. Though the practice was previously prohibited, the relatively small fines have been easily accepted by violators as the cost of doing business. Since it has not been a printable offense, it has been impossible for law enforcement to track repeat offenders and seek higher penalties provided for in current law for such repeat offenders. More importantly, solicitors of unauthorized ground transportation, whose identities are unknown to airport personnel, can present a serious threat to airport security.

This bill addresses this problem by making a first offense for unlawful solicitation of ground transportation services at an airport a class A misdemeanor and a printable offense.

NYAMA received word that the Governor has sign a bill eliminating the sunset of the tax exemtion on maintenance and repair of GA aircraft making the tax exemption permanant!

The Assembly passed the bill (A8891/Schimminger) to repeal the December 1, 2009 sunset after the bill quickly moved through the committees to the floor where it was brought to a vote.

The bill was then delivered to the Senate which was deadlocked in a struggle for control of the leadership. The impasse ended a month later and the Senate was back at work. Final passage was given for the bill (S.5516/Stachowski).

The bill was transmitted to Governor Paterson on the same day, and signed into law the next day as Chapter 204 of the Laws of 2009 making the tax exemption permanent!

There were many bills put on the shelf during the recent events in the Senate. NYAMA was diligent in keeping this bill before Senators throughout the entire process. The passage of the bill is widely seen as a tremendous victory given the political and economic climate.

Please be sure to thank your legislators for their efforts!