Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, the modern airport is a building block of a livable community. Air transportation is essential to cities being competitive in a global economy and being integrated into the national transportation framework. It is time for us to start making plans for what the role of airports should be in the future so that they do not pose a threat to livability and are truly integrated with other modes of transportation. The manager's amendment contains two items I think can help point the way towards better, long-term integration among aviation, rail, and surface modes. First, there is an effort to clarify and publicize how passenger facility charges can be used to assist in the development of ground access projects. For too many people, the worst part of the trip is trying to get to and from the airport. Second, there is a provision that requires plans for airport and runway construction and expansion to be shared between the airports and the metropolitan planning organizations. Currently, there is no guarantee that the aviation and surface transportation agencies are even talking to each other, let alone actually planning together. A sound transportation process includes all the players and respects their obligations and responsibilities, and it will work to the benefit of all.”