Aviation Bill Passes House; Construction Grant Boost
The House has approved a $68-billion aviation bill that would authorize $15.8 billion over four years for the Federal Aviation Administration airport construction grants and also let airports raise passenger facility charges (PFCs), another infrastructure revenue source, to as much as $7.00, from $4.50 now. But the White House has issued a veto warning for the bill, contending that the measure doesn't do enough to match aviation users' fees and charges with costs they impose on the system.
The legislation, which the House passed Sept. 20 by a 267-151 vote, would increase the federal tax on jet fuel used by small, "general aviation" planes to 36 cents per gallon, from the current 21.9 cents and boost the general aviation gasoline levy to 24.2 cents per gal., from 19.4 cents now.