On Wednesday, December 4, the Ohio Aviation Association held its annual Advocacy Day. OAA Board members and commercial service airport executives began the day meeting with Lt. Governor Jon Husted to discuss aviation and airport issues of importance, including:
- increasing state airport infrastructure funding to access more federal dollars that will go to other states without more funding at the state level,
- protecting the airspace around Ohio airports and the local, state and federal investments that have gone into them, and
- efforts by OAA and its members to provide world-class service and facilities for Ohioans and others traveling for business or personal reasons.
OAA members in attendance then had the opportunity to meet several members of the 136th General Assembly leadership for the majority and minority caucuses in both the House and the Senate.
A clear message from Lt. Governor Husted and legislators for OAA members was to build relationships with legislators representing each airport and make sure they understand the importance about supporting OAA's public policy agenda. This can be accomplished by inviting your elected officials to visit the airport, airport sponsor or airport authority meeting to discuss these important aviation issues. The OAA is trying to help facility these discussions with the regional airport events each month corresponding with the OAA Board of Director meetings.
At the end of the day OAA members made their way to the museum gallery in the Ohio Statehouse for the legislative reception from 5-7p.m.
OAA President, Amanda McGee, kicked off the reception and welcomed those in attendance. Attendees heard from State Senator Andrew Brenner, member of the Senate Transportation Committee and Rep. Bernie Willis, Vice Chair of the House Aviation and Aerospace Committee. Both provided thoughts on the future of aviation.
Next OAA Advocacy Chair, Jeff Bonecutter, provided attendees with an overview of the Legislator(s) of the Year Award. This year the OAA selected Senator Bob Hackett for his work on SB 206 related to airports dealing with derelict or abandoned aircraft. Click here for the OAA testimony on the bill. Click here for OAA member Wilmington Air Park and Alex Beres's testimony. Mr. Bere's provided some comments about Sen. Hackett and all the work he has done to support airports and SB 206.
The program was wrapped up by OAA's Executive Director, Tony Fiore, unveiling the 2025-26 Public Policy Agenda. Primary areas of focus for the association are: 1) airport infrastructure funding, 2) airspace protection, 3) air service development, and 4) aviation workforce development.
