Business leaders and government officials from Waco, Texas, and surrounding communities met with Congressional members earlier this month to discuss issues affecting the aerospace and aviation industries.
The group included 40 business leaders and local government officials, along with representatives from McGregor and Bryan-College Station. Waco is home to 30 aerospace and aviation businesses that contribute $518 million to the economy.
The group opposes air traffic control privatization, believing government oversight is necessary to ensure the industry’s interests are represented in policymaking. Jobs also could be at risk because of privatization.
“Privatization represents a philosophical shift in the understanding of transportation infrastructure to facilitate commerce, which is one of the very few constitutionally defined duties of the federal government,” Jessica Atlas, Greater Waco Chamber public policy director, said. “Even proponents of limited government recognize that oversight of this vital national asset is too important role responsibility to relinquish or outsource.”
The group met with U.S. Sens. John Cornyn III (R-TX) and Ted Cruz (R-TX), and U.S. Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and Lamar Smith (R-TX).
The group later met with Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA), chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Shuster is a support of air traffic control privatization.