NATCA National Legislative Committee

NATCA In Washington

Hill Visit Report

Members

Forms

Photos 2007

Photos 2008

Issues

Facility Data Report

Videos

In attendance: Alan Clendenin; John Fitzgerald; Dustin Miller; Randy Weiland; Richard Ulmes; Steve Fletcher; David Caldwell; Bernie Campau; David Benedetto.

Absent: Chris Boughn

New member: The National Legislative Committee welcomed Bernie Campau as the Alaska representative to the NLC

Old Business:

Fund Raising Schedule
Discussion about the disappointment that Ken has not followed through on his promise to forward DC fund raising schedules. John Fitzgerald discussed how he has attempted to mitigate the effects of this issue. John has drafted a letter that he has sent to all the congressional districts in his region. He is now on their fund raiser distribution list. John will send his letter to the committee members and will attempt to make the letter available to regional committee members through the Internet.

Legislative Affairs
The committee discussed an ongoing disconnect that exists between the Director of the Legislative Affairs Department and the NLC.

The committee’s request that information on PAC disbursements be shared with the Regional Chairs, after they are made, is still not being honored in time enough for that information to be useful to the members of the NLC. The committee discussed the void in communication and the lack of follow through on previous commitments.

The committee reasserts its position that in order to be effective in implementing grassroots legislative activity, it’s members must have the tools to do the job.

Alan is working with Ken and Mike to rectify this situation.

Contracting
NATCA has reached agreement with the Agency on the extent of the contract tower program and that NATCA’s President has determined that grassroots legislative action on this issue is not warranted at this time.

TSP Reform
HR 208 recently passed the House. HR 483, which increases the contribution limits to the IRS 401k limits, is still in committee. Progress on HR 483 will most likely be slow, due to the ramifications the bill would have on the federal budget. There are several other measures floating around in the House, which could accomplish the same end as HR 483. NATCA’s legislative activists should not look to see any closure on this issue during this congressional term. However, NATCA’s activists should continue to garner support for legislative measures that would raise the TSP contribution limit to the IRS 401k limit.

FAA Funding
The committee discussed several of the proposals being floated on Capitol Hill to reform the way the FAA is funded. Attendees of NATCA in Washington ’99 will be briefed on the several proposals and will receive talking points on the issue prior to canvassing Capitol Hill.

NATCA in Washington 99
The committee reviewed the agenda for NATCA in Washington 99 and discussed the logistics of the event.

3rd Quarter Meeting Location
The third quarter NLC meeting will be held July 24-27, 1999 in Colorado Springs, CO.

4th Quarter Meeting Location
The fourth quarter NLC meeting will be held in Portland, ME during the week of October 3-9, 1999

New Business:

NATCA in Washington 2000
The committee decided to explore holding NiW 2000 in September. Alan will explore the second week of September for hotel availability.

PAC Pins
The committee decided to return to the practice of distributing PAC pins on a yearly basis. Alan will coordinate this request with the national office.

NATCA in Washington Debriefing Forms
Randy Weiland requested that the information from NIW 99 attendees debriefing sheets be disseminated to the members of the NLC. The NLC agreed unanimously. The legislative affairs department will consolidate the forms into a report and forward the results to the NLC.

Alan Clendenin
Chairman
National Legislative Committee