ASSEMBLY PANEL RELEASES BILL ALLOWING PORT AUTHORITY TO PURCHASE STEWART AIRPORT
Change to Agency's Operating Authority Will Allow PANYNJ Ownership, Operations of Upstate NY Airport

(TRENTON) - Legislation sponsored by Assembly members Frederick Scalera, Gary S. Schaer, Bob Gordon, and Joan Voss that would authorize the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) to move forward with a planned takeover of Stewart Airport in New York was released from committee today.ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS
NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE:
February 26, 2007

CONTACT:
Assemblyman Scalera
(973) 667-4431
Assemblyman Schaer
(973) 249-3665
Assemblyman Gordon
(201) 703-9779
Assemblywoman Voss
(201) 346-6400
James Sverapa IV
(609) 292-7065

ASSEMBLY PANEL RELEASES BILL ALLOWING PORT AUTHORITY TO PURCHASE STEWART AIRPORT
Change to Agency's Operating Authority Will Allow PANYNJ Ownership, Operations of Upstate NY Airport

(TRENTON) - Legislation sponsored by Assembly members Frederick Scalera, Gary S. Schaer, Bob Gordon, and Joan Voss that would authorize the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) to move forward with a planned takeover of Stewart Airport in New York was released from committee today.

The purchase of the operating lease at Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, New York, will play a key role in the agency's efforts to reduce air congestion and flight movements at North Jersey's Teterboro Airport.

"The potential for relieving the air congestion, travel delays, strain, and - perhaps most importantly - safety concerns currently experienced by our area airports highlights the need for us to allow the purchase of Stewart Airport by the Port Authority," said Scalera (D-Essex). "Without some sort of relief, Teterboro Airport will be forced to attempt to accommodate increasingly larger aircraft, which will only result in more air traffic and more potential for life-threatening accidents."

Currently, the PANYNJ only has the authority to operate within an existing "port district" that extends for 25 miles in all directions from Liberty Island in New York Harbor.

The measure (A-3948) authorizes the PANYNJ to take over operations of two additional air terminals - one in New York, one in New Jersey, as respectively designated by the Governor of each state. The legislation would not change the boundaries of the port district, but would allow exceptions for the operations of Stewart Airport and an additional existing air facility in New Jersey.

"This is a quality of life issue for all New Jersey residents, but especially for those living near Newark and Teterboro airports," said Schaer (D-Passaic). "Between media reports on the abysmal on-time ratings of Newark International Airport and the constant safety concerns surrounding Teterboro Airport's jet load, it is clear that we need another airport to handle the enormous volume of air traffic entering and leaving the New York metropolitan area."

According to the PANYNJ, under its current configuration, Stewart International Airport could handle 1.5 million passengers annually. The airport is situated on 2,400 acres of land and is equipped with two large runways capable of handling major jet service similar to those found at Newark, LaGuardia, or John F. Kennedy international airports. The PANYNJ has said it expects to be able to increase passenger service and volume to the airport through careful planning and expansion.

"Providing relief to residents concerned about noise levels and safety concerns stemming from Teterboro is a no-brainer," said Gordon (D-Bergen). "Any steps that can be taken to reduce air traffic over Bergen County and the rest of North Jersey should be embraced wholeheartedly."

The New York Legislature passed similar companion legislation in 1967, however, because of the bi-state nature of the PANYNJ, enabling legislation must be passed by both state legislatures before the purchase could be authorized.

If enacted, the PANYNJ would be authorized to purchase the remaining 93 years of the Stewart International Airport lease from the National Express Corporation. The PANYNJ estimates the total cost of the lease purchase to be $78.5 million. Once completed, the PANYNJ would be given operational authority of the airport, which the agency expects to assume by October 2007.

"Allowing this takeover carries with it concrete benefits to New Jersey from a safety, quality of life, and economic standpoint," said Voss (D-Bergen). "This is something that has been on the books in New York for 40 years, and it's high time New Jersey followed suit."

The Assembly Transportation and Public Works Committee released the measure by a vote of 11 to 0. It now heads to the Assembly Speaker, who decides if and when to post the measure for a floor vote.

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