The Minnesota Business Aviation Association (MBAA) with the Minnesota Aviation Trades Association (MATA) and the Minnesota Council of Airports (MCOA) co-hosted a Business Aviation Legislative Luncheon at the Kelly Inn, in Saint Paul on January 13, 2011. Representative Michael Beard, Chair, House Transportation Committee; Representative David Dill; Senator Joe Gimse, Chair, Senate Transportation Committee; and Senator John Howe, Vice Chair, Senate Transportation Committee, were on the panel. Other legislators who attended were Representatives Kent Eken, Mike Nelson, Ron Shimanski, all members of the House Transportation Committee, and Senator Mike Jungbauer.
In addition to MBAA, MATA, and MCOA members, attendees included representatives from the Association of Minnesota Counties and the League of Minnesota Cities.
In terms of long-range plans, access to sales tax revenue from aircraft sales, and aircraft parts and services were discussed. However, given the current budget deficit, shifting these taxes from the State’s General Fund to the Airport Fund will take time and most likely have to be phased-in. Lowering aircraft registration taxes was discussed, but to adequately fund airports in the state, the aviation sales tax, fuel tax and flightline property tax will be affected.
The panel members indicated support for updating the statutes that regulate the revenue streams for the State Airports Fund. However, they emphasized that the interested parties should meet and develop a proposal that was agreeable to all segments of the aviation community in Minnesota.
This was the third year this luncheon has been held, and according to many attendees, the most productive and showed the greatest support from legislators.
