Rep. Napolitano Applauds Passage of Ontario Airport Local Control Bill

Today, Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (CA-32) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4369, bipartisan legislation to complete the transfer of Ontario International Airport from the city of Los Angeles to the Ontario International Airport Authority:

"Allowing for local control of Ontario Airport puts the best interest of our region first in improving and managing the airport. I am very appreciative that this agreement makes sure that airport workers will not lose their jobs during and after the transition. I also thank my bipartisan colleagues from California, especially Congressman Calvert and Congresswoman Torres, for their leadership on this bill, which will benefit residents, businesses, and cities in the San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire."

Background:

· After five years of negotiations the City of Los Angeles agreed to transfer its ownership of the Ontario Airport to a new airport authority created by the City of Ontario and San Bernardino County.

· The major point in this local agreement was providing for the repayment of passenger facility charges (PFCs) that Los Angeles had collected at LAX in the 1990s and used to construct a new terminal at Ontario Airport.

· The settlement agreement requires Ontario Airport to pay back LAX with future PFCs collected at Ontario.

· Napolitano cosponsored H.R. 4369 along with Reps. Ken Calvert (CA-42), Norma Torres (CA-35), Ed Royce (CA-39), Paul Cook (CA-8), Raul Ruiz (CA-36), Pete Aguilar (CA-31), and Mark Takano (CA-41).

· H.R. 4369 allows PFCs collected at Ontario International Airport to be used for projects at LAX; it only applies to Ontario Airport and LAX.

· H.R. 4369 was approved by a voice vote.

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