Administration Announces Assistance for Northern Virginia
Washington, DC -- Office of Management and Budget Director
Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr., announced today an additional $27 million in
assistance for Northern Virginia to redress losses resulting from the
aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks.
The assistance package provides an additional $15 million -- on top
of the $25 million already provided for Reagan National Airport and to
compensate the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority's (MWAA) lost
revenue from landing fees, rent, and passenger facility charges. These funds
are requested for immediate release pursuant to the terms outlined in the
Emergency Supplemental Act.
Including these funds, assistance for Virginia now totals over $2.8 billion:
$1.5 billion to rebuild the Pentagon; $1.1 billion in individual tax relief
from enactment of the Administration's stimulus proposal; $172 million in
assistance to airlines with headquarters in Virginia; $20 million in FEMA
assistance for fire and police departments and other rescue workers; $16
million in SBA leveraged lending; $7 million in crisis counseling; $10
million for the Washington D.C. subway system for security upgrades, $40
million to compensate Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) and
its concessionaires for the Federal closure and reduced flight schedule at
Reagan Airport (compensation for loss of landing fees, passenger facility
charged, rent and sales); and, $2 million for economic development activities
related to business losses associated with the September 11th terrorist
attacks.
If enacted as part of the FY 2002 Emergency Supplemental Package now
pending before Congress, Virginia would also receive a proportional amount of
funding from the $600 million requested by the President on October 17th
emergency supplemental release request for anti-terrorism training and
equipment for State and local first responders. Fairfax, VA is one of the
top responder units in the country. Additional assistance is likely in the
future when Governor Ridge completes his assessment and develops the national
strategy.
This assistance is the result of consultations with Senators Warner
and Allen and Representatives Davis, Wolf, and Moran. This payment underscores
the Federal commitment to Reagan National Airport. The Administration will
continue to work to ensure the viability of this airport.