Airport, Aerospace Measures Win House Approval
Bills that would provide financing to improve the state's regional airports and create an "Aerospace Institute" passed the House today.
“Aerospace is one of Oklahoma’s fastest growing industries, and we are going to do everything we can to foster that industry and help it grow,” said Rep. Mike Jackson (left), chairman of the House Aerospace and Technology Subcommittee.
House Bill 2784, known as the Regional Business Airport Modernization Act, asks for $10 million to modernize Oklahoma’s 49 regional business airports. The bill seeks to ensure that those regional airports in areas with significant economic activity and high aviation demand are accommodating to the businesses that use them.
“These airport upgrades will allow our communities to more successfully compete for those businesses that create jobs for their citizens and stimulate Oklahoma’s economy,” said Jackson, R-Enid.
The bill passed the House with a vote of 89-9 and will next be heard in the Senate.
Another bill would create the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute underneath the state Aeronautics Commission. The institute would help further aerospace education in Oklahoma in an attempt to create a pool of local engineers and workforce through the state’s higher education and Career Tech systems.
House Bill 3098, by Rep. Gary Banz (right), would also help local suppliers get contracts with Tinker Air Force Base and the federal government. The legislation seeks $2.5 million to help achieve these goals. The bill passed the House with a vote of 90-10 and will proceed to the Senate.
Both bills are contingent upon funds being appropriated through the budgeting process.
“Our growing aerospace industry is so vital to diversifying Oklahoma’s economy,” said Banz, R-Midwest City. “We need to do all we can to ensure this industry can expand. It is time we get behind this sector of our economy and make a financial commitment to its growth.”
“Aerospace is one of Oklahoma’s fastest growing industries, and we are going to do everything we can to foster that industry and help it grow,” said Rep. Mike Jackson (left), chairman of the House Aerospace and Technology Subcommittee.
House Bill 2784, known as the Regional Business Airport Modernization Act, asks for $10 million to modernize Oklahoma’s 49 regional business airports. The bill seeks to ensure that those regional airports in areas with significant economic activity and high aviation demand are accommodating to the businesses that use them.
“These airport upgrades will allow our communities to more successfully compete for those businesses that create jobs for their citizens and stimulate Oklahoma’s economy,” said Jackson, R-Enid.
The bill passed the House with a vote of 89-9 and will next be heard in the Senate.
Another bill would create the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute underneath the state Aeronautics Commission. The institute would help further aerospace education in Oklahoma in an attempt to create a pool of local engineers and workforce through the state’s higher education and Career Tech systems.
House Bill 3098, by Rep. Gary Banz (right), would also help local suppliers get contracts with Tinker Air Force Base and the federal government. The legislation seeks $2.5 million to help achieve these goals. The bill passed the House with a vote of 90-10 and will proceed to the Senate.
Both bills are contingent upon funds being appropriated through the budgeting process.
“Our growing aerospace industry is so vital to diversifying Oklahoma’s economy,” said Banz, R-Midwest City. “We need to do all we can to ensure this industry can expand. It is time we get behind this sector of our economy and make a financial commitment to its growth.”
Labels: Aerospace Industry, Gary Banz, Mike Jackson, Regional Airports
posted by Mike McCarville @ 11:45 AM
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