Legislative Correpsondence_GrassleyOffice of the Mayor
City Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001-4864
www.cityofdubuque.org
July 11, 2007
The Honorable Charles Grassley
United States Senate
135 Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-1501
Dear Senator Grassley:
As Mayor of Dubuque, Iowa, on behalf the City of Dubuque, I would like to register
opposition to the proposed "user fee" tax proposed by the Senate Commerce
Committee in S. 1300. I understand that the Senate Finance Committee will soon
introduce its own version of a bill for FAA reauthorization, and I urge you to work with
Committee members to reject this harmful tax hike on the businesses and communities
across the country that rely on small aircraft and general aviation.
Specifically, the Commerce Committee's bill establishes a new $25 "user fee" tax on
turbine-powered aircraft that is charged every time a plane takes off and lands. This bill
codifies the flawed notion that a small plane with four passengers landing at the
Dubuque
Regional Airport somehow imposes the same costs on the air traffic control system as a
jet carrying 400 passengers to a busy hub airport.
We also oppose increased fees on small planes through a doubling of the fuel tax from
$.21/gallon to $.49/gallon.
Dubuque Regional Airport and the businesses which support the airport and the City of
Dubuque would be negatively impacted by this proposed legislation. The current
funding structure derives its revenue from air carriers, light general aviation, and
business aviation in a fair and equitable manner.
Increase costs will also indirectly reduce the number of opportunities available to young
people entering the aviation profession. We are very proud of the University of
Dubuque's Aviation program serving students from around the country. This proposed
legislation could negatively impact this significant program at the University of Dubuque.
We understand that the demands on the aviation industry are very serious and require
the attention of all stakeholders. We understand that all must be a part of future
Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork
The Honorable Charles Grassley
July 11, 2007
Page 2
solutions to the challenges at hand. But we urge you to say no to this new, regressive
"user fees" tax and modernize our air traffic control system through a progressive and
fair system that will not target small towns and businesses across America.
Sincergly yours,
Roy D. Buol
Mayor
RDB:jh