Regional Airport Authority Considered to Resolve Battle Over Wright Amendment
WASHINGTON -- A regional airport authority is one idea being considered by local leaders as they try to resolve the battle over the Wright Amendment.
Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief, who has been a staunch defender of the flight restrictions at Dallas Love Field, confirmed the notion of regional discussions Thursday as Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, urged local leaders to take action.
In a prepared statement, Moncrief said, "A local solution to the Wright Amendment discussion is not a new concept and is something that all of us in North Texas are working toward."
"A regional airport authority is one of many options," he said. "Our City Council understands that the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport is the most powerful driver in our North Texas economy. Because thousands of families depend on D/FW Airport for employment, it is imperative that we work together as a region to preserve the integrity and strength of this airport."
A regional authority would own Love Field and Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. Dallas now owns Love Field, and both cities own D/FW Airport.
"I have been talking to different people," Hutchison said. "There are several options. I'm trying to push for what can be a local consensus rather than a piecemeal approach to the Wright Amendment." Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, also backs a local solution.
Hutchison said she decided that a local solution is needed after Missouri was exempted last year from the law, which limits flights from Love to Texas and eight other nearby states.
"It was what happened with Missouri," she said, referring to the effort by Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., to exempt his home state. Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., made a last-minute attempt to add Tennessee to the appropriations bill that included the Missouri exception but was rebuffed by a House subcommittee chairman, Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-Mich., in conference.
Hutchison said she thinks that other states may try to copy the Missouri approach.
"I think Tennessee is going to make a large effort, and Nevada, to get in this next time," she said. "If we're going to have a plan for the whole area, we need to have a united, local position."
Fort Worth lawyer Dee Kelly, who has played a prominent role in the Wright Amendment debate, said he has talked with Hutchison.
"I think she's frustrated that this thing can't get resolved in a way that's permanent," he said. "I think she's trying to get it resolved between the cities."
Dallas Mayor Laura Miller said in a statement that she continues to support a local solution.
"I talk to the congressional delegation often, on all manner of topics, including Wright, and will continue to do so. I've said for the past year that a local solution needs to be found on Wright, and I still believe that," Miller said.
Moncrief told the Star-Telegram last year that he was not interested in pursuing Miller's suggestion of negotiations because of the Tarrant County congressional delegation's strong opposition to altering the Wright Amendment.
"The suggestion of a regional transportation authority has been mentioned for nearly a decade," Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, said in a statement. "What everyone should keep in mind in this whole discussion is the economic health of our communities and this region. Anything that hurts D/FW Airport hurts our economy."
Tim Wagner, spokesman for Fort Worth-based American Airlines, said that the airline continues to believe that the Wright Amendment is the compromise.
"Any discussion about the Wright Amendment needs to include the full spectrum of options, including closing Love Field. It is important to remember this was the intent of the local community when Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport was originally built."
Southwest spokesperson Beth Harbin said that company is open to discussions.
"We have been willing and open to talk to anybody. We stand at the ready. We're willing to negotiate, but we're the only ones at the table," she said.
Staff writer David Wethe contributed to this report.
News stories provided by third parties are not edited by "Site Publication" staff. For suggestions and comments, please click the Contact link at the bottom of this page.