SUBJECT:

PURPOSE:

A strong transportation system is essential to support economic growth, prosperity, and the quality of life in the State. New York's transportation network moves millions of people and tons of freight annually, assisting the State's residents in meeting their economic, social, educational, health and recreational needs. Aviation is one component of this transportation network; public-use airports provide access to markets and communities through airline passenger service and charter flights, and provide other services such as medical access, flight training, tourism and recreational flying.

The enacted 2006-2007 State Budget contains an appropriation in the Airport or Aviation State Program to provide State matching aid for airport and aviation projects which are federally approved and have received federal financial assistance through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). The AIP provides grants to eligible public-use airports for planning and development, including improvements related to the enhancement of airport safety, capacity, security, and environmental concerns. This hearing will provide the Assembly Transportation Committee an opportunity to review the State matching aid component of the Airport or Aviation State Program. The Committee is interested in obtaining testimony on the implementation of this component of the program, including the types of improvements made, and the manner in which the goals of the program are enhanced.

Persons invited to present pertinent testimony to the Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

PUBLIC HEARING REPLY FORM

Persons invited to present testimony at the public hearing on The Impact of the 2006-2007 State Budget on the Airport or Aviation State Program with Respect to Federal Airport Improvement (AIP) State Matching Aid are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and return it to:

Simonia Brown
Committee Assistant
Assembly Committee on Transportation
Room 513 - Capitol
Albany, New York 12248
Email: browns@assembly.state.ny.us
Phone: (518) 455-4881
Fax: (518) 455-4128

I will address my remarks to the following subjects:

I will require assistance and/or handicapped accessibility information. Please specify the type of assistance required: