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LEGISLATIVE ACTIVISM AWA R D S / / Each year, the National Legislative Committee (NLC) recognizes members for their outstanding service and dedication to NATCA's legislative efforts. One member who has gone above and beyond for the Union is awarded with the Trish Gilbert Legislative Activism Award. Originally named the National Legislative Activism Award, Linda Miller McCray was the first recipient in 2009. McCray worked tirelessly to register voters and worked on political campaigns leading up to the presidential election in 2008. When Trish Gilbert was elected as NATCA EVP in September 2009, the NLC looked for a way to honor her commitment as the NLC Southwest Region Chair and eventually leading the Committee as chairperson. They decided to name their prestigious national award after her. Mark Griffin (Boise TRACON) was the first recipient of the Trish Gilbert Legislative Activism Award in 2010. Griffin spearheaded a five-year battle against FAA plans to move the services of Boise TRACON. He worked with elected officials on every level to ensure a success. In large part because of his efforts, the TRACON's services were not moved. In 2011, Brody McCray (ZDC) was awarded for his work on the midterm elections. In the 30 days prior to the election, he campaigned tirelessly every single day. Betsy Beaumont (ZFW) and AnnMarie Taggio (CLT) each won the national award in 2012 for their activism and contributions to NATCA's political and legislative efforts. That year, President Paul Rinaldi challenged NATCA to improve the political education and activism program, so Weidner asked Beaumont and Taggio to organize member-to-member outreach. They did just that by travelling across the country to visit many facilities and led countless NATCA events to ensure the success of the program. Last year, Mitch Herrick (Miami ATCT) received the honor. NLC Chair Steve Weidner, President Paul Rinaldi, and Gilbert presented him with the award for his work over the past eight years on a local, regional, and national level. Each region also has the opportunity to present a member with a regional award to acknowledge an individual who has consistently shown dedication to their legislative efforts. Winners of the award are chosen by the regional NLC member and RVP and are given out during NATCA in Washington. Join us at lunch today to congratulate all our winners! Don't forget to take another look through this publication before you hit the Hill! Short Answers: 1. Going into fiscal year (FY) 2015, it's imperative for Congress to pass the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriation bill to adequately fund the FAA. THUD Appropriations will allocate the funds in such a way as to avoid cuts to the Operations budget that could result in furloughs. 2. Congress modified the Budget Control Act (BCA) so that sequestration cuts will not be applied to FY 2014 or FY 2015. This is a result of the enactment of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013, which set spending levels below the amounts that sequestration mandates. Thus across the board sequestration cuts will not be applied in FY 2015. Beginning in FY 2016, sequestration cuts will go into effect again – in FY 2016, the FAA will once again have to cut all of its budget lines, including the Operations budget, which funds FAA employees including air traffic controllers. 3. To avoid indiscriminate across-the-board sequestration cuts in FY 2016 and beyond, Congress could: a. Keep the budget under the levels set by the BCA. The benefit of Congress meeting this number (the BCA level) is they could then determine where exactly the cuts are made. However, even if appropriators meet the target topline budget levels, significant FAA budget cuts will still occur OR b. Pass additional legislation to end sequestration once and for all. 4. Trick question! Since the BCA passed in 2011, Congress and the President have enacted two additional laws that affect sequestration: The American Taxpayer Relief Act (ATRA) of 2012, which ended the furloughs and revised the spending limits for FY 2013 and 2014. The Bipartisan Budget Act (BBA) of 2013 further revised spending limits for FY 2015. Fill in the Blank Answers: 1. $1.3 Trillion 2. Fix-on-Fail 3. Transportation and Housing & Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Bill 4. March and December 2013 5. 3,200 6. 1,800 and 2-4 years 7. FY 2023 8. Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) Matching: 1. A 2. C 3. D 4. B MAY 19-21, 2014 n i w . n a t c a . n e t 39

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