Spokane7
65°
August 4, 2011 in City
FAA dispute jeopardizes airport projects in Spokane, CdA
House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., sounds off Wednesday in Washington about the FAA bill. At right is Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
(Full-size photo)
Inland Northwest airports may have major construction projects knocked off track by a congressional fight over the Federal Aviation Administration.
A $3.3 million grant to finish a runway reconstruction at Spokane International Airport and a nearly $1 million grant for a building at Coeur d’Alene’s airport are in the bill that is stalled because of disagreements between House Republicans and Senate Democrats.
The grants aren’t part of the dispute, which primarily involves subsidies to rural airports and collective bargaining rights. But until the bill passes, the money can’t be released and many FAA workers other than air traffic controllers are on furlough.
Among the furloughed workers are those who check, calibrate and certify newly installed instruments at Spokane International that allow planes to land in bad weather, said Larry Krauter, executive director of the airport. They were scheduled to be in Spokane for one week starting next Monday, to work on instruments installed as part of a $25 million runway improvement and extension project. The airport hasn’t found anyone yet at FAA headquarters in Washington, D.C., who can tell them how or when that work will be rescheduled.
If the delay lasts long enough, the airport could miss the window for approval of the new instrument systems before bad weather sets in.
“As we get into fall weather with significant fog, we could have to divert or delay flights, or cancel them” in situations that require pilots to use instruments to land because they can’t see the runway, Krauter said.
The final stage of the improvement involves a $3.3 million project to level 3,000 feet of runway. That was to be covered by a grant from the Aviation Trust Fund, which is supported by airline ticket taxes, but until the bill passes airlines no longer have authority to collect the tax, and grants from the fund are frozen.
“Funding for the grants is not at the core of the debate, but it’s part of the bill. It’s along for the ride,” Krauter said.
Spokane International has enough money from previous grants to keep paying contractors until early September. After that, it may have to raise landing fees to keep construction going.
Coeur d’Alene Airport Director Greg Delavan said that facility has approval for a grant to build a specially designed structure for its air rescue and firefighting truck, which is now housed in the maintenance shop. That shop is too far away from the runway, Delavan said. “We need it to be three minutes away.”
Airport workers currently bring the truck out of the shop and park it near the flight line whenever it might be needed.
The airport has other grants pending, including one for a master plan being developed. But until the bill passes releasing the grants, the airport can’t sign contracts, Delavan said.
“We’re able to manage through our problems so it’s not going to be devastating to our services,” he said. “But it’s a terrible shame they’re bickering over unrelated issues.”
Supermajority for taxes unconstitutional, judge rules 
jimvw2 on August 04 at 6:36 a.m.
More Republican hostsage taking, holding FAA workers and contractors hostage because they want to pursue ALEC’s union-busting agenda.
Once again Republican anti-worker dogma is costing us jobs. Meanwhile the great protector of the “job creators,” Cathy McMorris Rodgers continues to draw a paycheck from us while she takes her five-week recess.
Yeah, this is what Republican governance looks like. Welcome to the world of flash card policy where Cathy and her friends wreck havoc on the economy and blame it on anyone they haven’t succeeding in laying off.
Maybe it’s time to elect some people who actually believe in government and who will honor public service. This Tea Party dominated regime is a destructive, self-indulgent disgrace. And Cathy’s right up at the front of their parade.
hunternomore on August 04 at 6:47 a.m.
Hm-m $25 million? Now that seems like a lot of money for Spokane’s sleepy airport.
JBlim on August 04 at 6:57 a.m.
Jobs, jobs, jobs! they cried. They forgot to mention they wanted crummy, low-paying jobs as they attack the minimum wage and unions. So where are all the jobs the Republicans talked about? They haven’t passed one pro-jobs bill but instead focus on attacking the average guy’s union job and cutting back spending which is now pushing the country back in to recession. Thanks for nothing, Republicans.
Charlie on August 04 at 8:13 a.m.
The House passed a FAA bill several weeks ago and sent it to the Senate, but with all the debt ceiling stuff that was going on Harry says he will not pass it. Call Harry!
The_Seer on August 04 at 8:23 a.m.
Charlie: The Senate didn’t pass it because the Baggers tossed in a rule making union formation in the industry more difficult, potentially violating the right of assembly guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution. I know people on the right like to drape themselves in that ancient hemp-paper document when it advances their addlepated agenda but completely ignore it when they can trample the working class into non-existence.
It’s demand, stupid. Until significant moves are made to stimulate demand, and on a massive scale such as FDR in the 30’s, expect a continued slide downward. To the 91% who still have jobs? You are next, and your mainly silent acquiescence that allowed for the rise of an anti-working class movement like Tea Baggers is shameful.
Cathy McMorris-Rogers has never had a real job in her life. And she never will. Even if she were to lose an election here she’d quickly slide into a cushy K street appointment where she’d continue to support policies that decimate the working class.
The_Seer on August 04 at 8:52 a.m.
jimvw2: Where did you learn about ALEC?
Lulubelle on August 04 at 9:56 a.m.
Thanks a lot McMorris-Rodgers……..another obstructionist extortion plot by the Republicans. This time it the union busting legislation.
Any middle class American voting Republican is going to get exactly what they deserve…..and it won’t be pretty.
DickAdams on August 04 at 10:28 a.m.
I`d ask the liberals how come the Spokane International Airport has not cut back on all the cement work. The concrete company keep pouring the stuff and the SIA continues to spend, spend spend! And don`t forget the owners of the airport, the city and county, who have signed the IOU in case of default will really stick it to the taxpayers,
MrNatural on August 04 at 11:42 a.m.
What!?!…why conservative republicants know what’s best for this nation and its private bidnesses…something about drowning them too in a bathtub as I recall…oh and paving the way for no bid contracts…and cheap labor…
Again the self-serving conservative ideology cuts off its nose to spite its face and blames liberals.