For Immediate Release: July 3, 2008

HUMASON PRAISES CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT
FOR RETAINING SALES TAX INCENTIVES FOR MASSACHUSETTS AVIATION

Don Humason, Jr., Westfield’s State Representative, and Chairman of the Aviation Caucus in the House of Representatives, praised the six-members of the House-Senate budget Conference Committee for rejecting in their report an earlier move by Governor Patrick and the House to repeal a sales tax exemption that was put on the Massachusetts books in 2002 to create incentives that strengthen the aviation industry in the Bay state.

“On behalf of the Aviation Caucus I thank and applaud the members of the Conference Committee for their actions supporting the aviation industry in Massachusetts,” Humason said.  “By maintaining this sales tax incentive for aircraft sales, use, parts, and storage we, as a state, will be able to ‘hold our own’ and continue to compete on level footing with the rest of the New England states.”

“Now we have to work to educate the Governor and other leaders about the many benefits, tangible and intangible, that Massachusetts derives from the aviation industry,” Humason stated.  “We don’t want to have to fight this fight again in next year’s budget.  We want to send a signal of stability to the rest of the country that says ‘Massachusetts wants your airplanes and welcomes your aviation-related business.’”

“Airports provide a valuable resource to our cities, towns, and the Commonwealth,” Humason said.  “Now, in this economically unstable time more than ever, Massachusetts needs airports and the highly skilled, high-paying jobs that accompany aviation-related businesses.”

Airports play an important role in the transportation infrastructure of Massachusetts.  They make our state more attractive to the business community.  They are economic engines for our Commonwealth.  “Removing the fledgling incentive of the sales tax exemption on sales and parts would have killed the industry by driving aircraft and the related service sector to friendlier states,” Humason said.  “They would have just flown away.”

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Representative Don Humason and his legislative aide Sarah Latour may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366.
                                                              
Their Boston address is State House Room 542, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2803. 
Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us