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A RESOLUTION OPPOSING PROPOSED LEGISLATION IMPLEMENTING LARGE AIRCRAFT SECURITY PROGRAM.
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WHEREAS, the general aviation sector opposes a proposed change that will adversely affect a vital engine of growth in the City of Jonesboro’s economy, providing jobs, economic opportunity and revenue;
WHEREAS, given the geography of the City of Jonesboro, a great many businesses, hospitals, schools, individuals and surrounding communities depend upon small planes and general aviation for access to medical treatment, tourism, mobility, economic opportunity, disaster relief and a wide range of critical resources and services.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Jonesboro, Arkansas:
THAT the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas strongly supports efforts to improve its nation’s aviation security but has serious concerns regarding the Transportation Safety Administrations’ proposed Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP), including the following:
1) The General Aviation community and key stakeholders include state and local elected officials, businesses and others deserve an opportunity to improve the proposal through a negotiated rulemaking process.
2) Among prohibited items are everyday tools. Small aircraft routinely carry employees and their tools to job sites that do not have commercial service. This would greatly reduce the efficiency and utility of business aviation.
3) The proposal fails to take into account the significant differences in the nature of Non-Commercial General Aviation operations and Commercial Airline operations.
4) The burden of implementing and sustaining this new program as it is currently written would fall disproportionately and unfairly on small towns, airports and small businesses and would cost these communities jobs and cause them financial harm.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 5th day of May, 2009.