Alaska’s Essential Air Service Getting Critical Funding
Murkowski: In Tight Fiscal Times, Alaska Must Still Receive Fair Share
WASHINGTON, DC – Millions of dollars for Alaska’s transportation projects were approved by the full Senate Appropriations Committee earlier today, in a bipartisan vote supported by committee member Senator Lisa Murkowski. “It is my priority and my duty to do all I can for the state of Alaska,” said Murkowski. “And that means I must make sure that even in an era of cuts and tough decisions, we continue to receive our fair share.” The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill now heads to the U.S. Senate floor for consideration.
The Essential Air Service program – a crucial program for over 40 Alaska airports from Gustavus to Akutan, ensuring they have commercial air service – will receive a $13 million increase over 2011 levels and every airport currently in the program can continue receiving the subsidy for the next fiscal year. Also in the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development bill, the FAA nationwide will receive $3.5 billion in Airport Improvement Programs funds, with an added $10 million to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.
Additionally, International Fisheries Commission funds were approved as part of the State and Foreign Operations 2012 appropriations bill, including:
- $1.998 million for the Pacific Salmon Commission
- $4.5 million for the International Pacific Halibut Commission
- $400,000 for the International Whaling Commission
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