Post by pavel on Apr 16, 2016 3:50:43 GMT -6
A bill to create a regional authority over the Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport will head to the governor after the state Senate voted, mostly along party lines, Thursday to concur on changes the House made in Senate Bill 2162.
"I don't care about changes made by the House," said Sen. David Blount, D-Jackson, who argued again Thursday against the bill. "This is someone trying to take our house."
But Sen. Josh, Harkins, R-Flowood, argued no one is taking anything from Jackson. He said Jackson will continue to get property taxes and sales tax revenue from the airport if the bill becomes law and is approved by the FAA.
“Today, the Mississippi Legislature has voted to take away the voice of Jackson taxpayers by stripping the operation, maintenance, and control of the Jackson Municipal airports," Jackson Mayor Tony Yarber said in a statement. "It’s cloaked in the term ‘regionalization,’ but serves to wrest away the investment solely made by the citizens of Jackson over 60 years ago. The City of Jackson implores Gov. Phil Bryant not to sign this legislation into law. Moreover, the City of Jackson vehemently opposes the proposed legislation that hijacks its municipal airports, specifically the Jackson Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport and Hawkins Field Airport. We stand ready to take all measures, in a court of law if necessary, to protect our citizens, their assets and their sacrifices. ”
Read more: www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2016/04/14/airport-bill-way-governor/83024390/
"I don't care about changes made by the House," said Sen. David Blount, D-Jackson, who argued again Thursday against the bill. "This is someone trying to take our house."
But Sen. Josh, Harkins, R-Flowood, argued no one is taking anything from Jackson. He said Jackson will continue to get property taxes and sales tax revenue from the airport if the bill becomes law and is approved by the FAA.
“Today, the Mississippi Legislature has voted to take away the voice of Jackson taxpayers by stripping the operation, maintenance, and control of the Jackson Municipal airports," Jackson Mayor Tony Yarber said in a statement. "It’s cloaked in the term ‘regionalization,’ but serves to wrest away the investment solely made by the citizens of Jackson over 60 years ago. The City of Jackson implores Gov. Phil Bryant not to sign this legislation into law. Moreover, the City of Jackson vehemently opposes the proposed legislation that hijacks its municipal airports, specifically the Jackson Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport and Hawkins Field Airport. We stand ready to take all measures, in a court of law if necessary, to protect our citizens, their assets and their sacrifices. ”
Read more: www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2016/04/14/airport-bill-way-governor/83024390/