November 24, 2009 [MARY]NextGen Advocates Cite Job Creation In Push For Funding |
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By Mary Grady, Contributing editor
Funding for the next-generation air traffic system would create thousands of jobs for engineers, software developers, and other high-tech workers, advocates said this week, as they lobbied House leaders to act before the December recess. Money invested in NextGen would "benefit Main Street, not just Wall Street," said AOPA President Craig Fuller. AOPA, NBAA, GAMA and 15 other aviation advocacy groups sent a letter ( PDF) this week to Congressmen James Oberstar (D-Minn.) and John Mica (R-Fla.), leaders of the House transportation committee. "Congress should seize this opportunity to expedite NextGen capabilities and to provide a platform for domestic NextGen job creation, thereby ensuring that the civil aviation and travel industries -- which directly and indirectly generate over 10 million jobs and $1.2 trillion in economic activity annually -- can continue to positively contribute to growth in the domestic economy," the letter reads.
President Barack Obama will host a Forum on Jobs and Economic Growth on Dec. 3, and the House said last week it will consider job-growth legislation in the next few weeks, AOPA said, spurring the GA groups to act now. "Moving forward with the new air traffic control system also would improve aviation safety, reduce delays, cut carbon emissions, and help the United States remain a world leader in aviation," said AOPA.
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