SUPPORT OF INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY
ADMINISTRATION’S LETTER OF INTENT PROGRAM
WHEREAS,
after the events of September 11, the federal government assumed responsibility
for all aspects of security at our nation’s airports by establishing the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in an effort to return travelers
to a safe, efficient air transportation system; and
WHEREAS,
TSA established a letter of intent “LOI” program to reimburse airports for the
cost of installing sophisticated Explosive Detection Systems (EDS) to more
efficiently screen checked baggage; and
WHEREAS,
Congress directed TSA through the FAA Reauthorization bill, “Vision 100"
to fund 90% of the EDS installation cost for large airports and 95% of the cost
for small to medium sized airports; and
WHEREAS,
TSA has disclosed that it will be unable to fully reimburse airports at the
level set forth by Congress and furthermore the agency will be unable to commit
to any more LOIs beyond the eight they have until after 2005 due to funding
restraints; and
WHEREAS,
airport EDS projects will be delayed as a result of lack of funding,
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors calls
on Congress and the Bush Administration to appropriate adequate federal funding
for LOIs to allow airports to meet the security needs of today’s traveling
public; and
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Conference of Mayors calls on the
Transportation Security Administration to fully fund existing LOI’s at the
Congressionally mandated level of 90% for large airports and 95% for small to
medium airports; and
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Conference of Mayors supports efforts in the
United State Senate to increase funding for the LOI program by $150 million a
year.
©2004 U.S. Conference of Mayors 