Commentary on general aviation airport funding at TTC meeting
AUSTIN, Texas - Cameron County’s general aviation airport will benefit greatly from the construction of a second causeway to South Padre Island, according to Cameron County’s commissioner for Precinct Three.
David Garza spoke in support of additional funding for general aviation airports in the public comment portion of a recent Texas Transportation Commission meeting in Austin. One of the agenda items dealt with additional funds for aviation appropriated by the 88th Legislature.
Garza started his remarks by saying he has had many meetings and encounters with the TxDOT’s aviation division.
“We have been the recipients especially of the grant program over the course of years.”
Garza said that when he first became a county commissioner he “inherited an overgrown, pretty much abandoned airport.” He said that with with the help of the TxDOT’s aviation department, Cameron County has been able to clean up the Port Isabel-Cameron County Airport.
“We've been able to, at this point, clean it up to the point where it is immaculate,” Garza said. “We've done major capital projects that they (the aviation division) has been part of.”
Garza referenced state Sen. Robert Nichols, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Transportation. Nichols had earlier spoken about funding for general aviation airports at the TTC meeting.
“From our perspective, it's very evident that he and Chairman Canales were very receptive to hearing our needs and (the need to) increase the funding.”
State Rep. Terry Canales is chairman of the House Committee on Transportation.
“General aviation airports play a key economic role in our communities,” Garza said. “They are critical. They’re unheralded, pretty much, in the state of Texas. If you don't fly in or fly out or know about them… it’s not on your radar.”
Editor's Note: The attached podcast features remarks on general aviation airports by state Sen. Robert Nichols and Cameron County Commissioner David Garza at a recent Texas Transportation Commission meeting.
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