Today, Taxpayers for Common Sense sent a letter to the House of Representatives urging strong reforms of the wasteful and outdated Essential Air Service.

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Support Stronger Reforms to the Wasteful Essential Air Service

July 20, 2011

Dear Representative:

As you consider H.R. 2553 (The “Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011, Part IV”), Taxpayers for Common Sense supports reforms to the Essential Air Service (EAS), but we urge Congress to take even stronger actions than this bill contains. This legislation represents a step in the right direction, but falls short of what needs to be done to protect taxpayers from unnecessary and wasteful subsidies.

The EAS is a relic of yesteryear, in the aftermath of airline deregulation and prior to trillion dollar budget deficits. Subsidizing flights for a handful of passengers at a cost to taxpayers of hundreds of dollars per flight or more does not make any sense, and less so in the current fiscal climate. While exceptions are acceptable in Alaska, where roads are scarce and distances great, that is the only place where EAS should remain in effect. The bill under consideration today would make minor changes to the eligibility requirements for what airports may receive EAS, but merely nibbles around the edges. We support its passage, but believe the time has come for Congress to take a full bite out of this wasteful program and save taxpayers once and for all.

If you have any questions, please contact me or Erich Zimmermann at 202-546-8500 x132 or erich [at] taxpayer.net.

Sincerely,

Ryan Alexander
President