NY Legislative Aviation Caucus Tops 100 Members!

ALBANY, NY (05/25/2011)(readMedia)-- The New York Legislative Aviation Caucus, established by Senate and Assembly members in early 2010, now has 100 members! This represents over 47% of the entire State Legislature.

The Caucus is being promoted by the New York Aviation Management Association (NYAMA), the statewide organization of airports and aviation industry professionals, as a way to organize state legislators interested in further developing New York's aviation assets.

"The willingness of so many of my colleagues to join the Legislative Aviation Caucus illustrates the recognition among lawmakers of the importance of airports and the aviation industry to the State's efforts to create jobs and attract private investment," said Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, the Co-Chair of the Caucus.

The members of the New York Legislative Aviation Caucus work together with industry leaders like NYAMA and its affiliate members, such as the National Business Aviation Association and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, to make certain elected officials and policymakers understand the critical role aviation plays in their communities.

Assemblyman Steven McLaughlin, a former commercial pilot, was instrumental in securing Caucus membership among his fellow Assembly colleagues. His efforts helped put Caucus membership over the 100 mark.

"As a pilot for many years, I know firsthand how important the aviation and related industries are to the growth and development of a thriving New York state economy," Assemblyman McLaughlin said. "I told my colleagues that it was important for them to join with like-motivated legislators in establishing a pro-growth, pro-job agenda centered on our state's aviation industry."

"Every type of aviation stakeholder in New York supports the Caucus," said Carl Beardsley, manager of Greater Binghamton Airport and President of NYAMA. "From GA reliever airports to commercial airlines to maintenance and engineering companies to company flight departments; the aviation community is a broad spectrum, and it's all about jobs."

While neighboring states such as Massachusetts and Connecticut have tax policies designed to attract general aviation (GA) aircraft, New York imposes a sales and use tax on all GA airplanes that has the effect of discouraging the basing of these aircraft in New York in favor of surrounding states.

"We have an aviation sector in this state that is incredibly productive," said state Senator William Larkin, the Caucus' other Co-Chair. "However, this sector continues to perform well short of its potential because of a competitive disadvantage with neighboring states."

Beardsley is optimistic that together, the caucus and the aviation community will be successful in drawing more business aircraft to New York through tax reform and better airports, if they're persistent. "The Caucus promises to be the catalyst for advancing aviation in New York," Beardsley concluded.