U.S. airport jobs at risk in fight to pass FAA Reauthorization Bill

July 22, 2011 at 1:01 pm | Posted in Aviation Law Current Event | Leave a comment

by Sara M. Langston with the blog faculty

[Airport] projects in all 50 states would be affected but California, Florida, New York and Georgia stand to lose the most money if lawmakers to do not sort out political differences in legislation to temporarily pay for certain Federal Aviation Administration operations.

LaHood, a former member of Congress and one of the few Republicans in President Barack Obama’s Cabinet, said he is confident that Congress can pass an extension without any side proposals, like the service cuts.

California would lose $131.5 million, Florida $88 million, Georgia $67.1 million, and New York $62.6 million, in any partial shutdown of FAA operations, the Transportation Department said.

Construction on the O’Hare airport modernization project in Chicago will continue, according to the FAA. But the agency will not be able to fulfill a $9 million grant for a new taxiway, delaying construction of the new path, unless the funding measure clears. [Full story]