Posted 9/27/01 Senate creates air transportation and economic security committee By T.W. Budig ECM capitol reporter Senate leaders late last week (Sept. 21) announced the creation of a new Senate Select Committee on Air Transpor-tation and Economic Security. The announcement comes on the wake of an announcement by Northwest Airline CEO Richard Anderson that the airline would cut some 10,000 jobs, with some 4500 layoffs being in Minnesota. The Senate committee will be chaired by Sen. Deanne Wiener, DFL, Eagan. Wienerís district is home to Northwest and Sun Country Airlines. ìMany of the employees affected by recent layoffs from the airlines and their related businesses live and work in my district,î said Wiener. ìIt is important that we begin asking questions now about how the state can complement recent actions taken by the federal government,î she said in a newsrelease. The committees first meeting will be Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 1 p.m. in Room 15 of the Capitol. Anderson, Sun Country President and CEO David Banmiller, and Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) Executive Director Jeffry Hamiel are scheduled to appear before the committee. Moe and Day appointed the 12-member bipartisan Senate committee, according to a press release. Senate leaders warned thereíd be no quick fix to the air transportation dilemma. Some of the options the Senate committee will explore is restructuring MAC and state loans. The committee will also look at extending unemployment benefits. It will also look at tax relief proposals. ñ property tax, sales tax, and fuel tax. The House earlier in the week announced impending hearings of the House Transportation Fiance Committee to also examine the airline industry. ©Post Review