STATEMENT FROM JASON LEWIS ON NORWEGIAN AIR INTERNATIONAL (NAI)
Jun 21, 2016The Twin Cities are a major airline hub, led by Delta, Sun Country and many others. Consequently the 2nd district is home to a number of aviation workers-including a crucial refinery (Pine Bend in Rosemount) that processes much of the jet fuel for use at MSP airport.
Unfortunately, the industry finds itself under attack on a number of political fronts that threaten the jobs and living standards of its workers.
- On April 15, 2016 the DOT issued a “show cause order” that could grant NAI a foreign air carrier permit or ‘flag of convenience.’ Though it holds an air carrier certification from Ireland, NAI neither operates in or uses Irish based crews, thus avoiding sufficient labor and perhaps even safety standards. The ‘flag of convenience’ model is akin to nation-shopping that puts globalism ahead of American workers and as a candidate for Congress I join the ALPA (#DenyNAI) in opposing that. The United States cannot rely on poorly worded international agreements but should reclaim the sovereignty to make its own rules whether on the ground or in the sky.
- A report last year published by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research in the U.K. demands a reduction in the number of flights worldwide by those engaged in climate research. Corinne Le Quéré, the report’s lead author and director of the Tyndall Centre, singles out flying because she says it’s “the most intensive source of carbon emissions. I mean, if you compare the carbon emissions from sitting in a plane, especially long-haul flights, flying is really high compared to all these other elements…” I fear this is only the beginning and the push by environmental activists for policies that reduce flying is a serious threat to aviation-related employment in the 2nd district.
- Finally, the good news is airline and aviation-related employment provide above average levels of compensation and benefits. The bad news is federal taxes are far too high and in too many instances penalize work, savings, and investment.
That’s why reforming the federal income tax code is vital for Minnesota’s economy. As I wrote in the St. Pioneer Press (http://www.twincities.com/2016/03/24/jason-lewis-no-wonder-folks-are-leaving/) not long ago, “the top 25 percent, those just above $73,000, shoulder more than 70 percent of the income tax burden. These folks are not the super-rich and shouldn’t be picking up the tab for others.”
As your Congressman in Minnesota’s 2nd district, I’ll fight to grow the airline industry here at home, not shrink it. I’ll fight to protect your jobs and your income from ill advised governmental decisions. And I’ll work to make sure that works still pays in America.
Join me today at join.jasonlewis2016.com.