To the editor:

On May 19, a reader credited Rep. Elise Stefanik for money coming to Ogdensburg and Plattsburgh International Airports through the Essential Airlines Services program. (Letter to the editor, “Stefanik deserves praise for airport funding,” Adirondack Daily Enterprise.) This program has been in existence since 1978, when airlines were deregulated, and some rural routes were otherwise unprofitable. The EAS program was incorporated into the Airline Deregulation Act, which was a bipartisan measure signed into law in 1978 by then President Jimmy Carter. The funds referenced in the May 19, letter are for airline subsidies as part of this historic program.

What the author did not mention is that Stefanik voted against the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal of 2021, which has brought new federal funds to Plattsburgh and Ogdensburg airports, $1.5 million and $1 million respectively, for vital repairs and improvements. The bill arose out of President Joe Biden’s original proposal in March 2021, and was hammered out between Democrats and Republicans over the course of the year before being signed into law in November 2021. In spite of Stefanik’s no vote, the measure became law and is helping our region in a variety of ways.

It is bipartisanship that helps solve problems, and on that, it’s difficult to give Elise Stefanik much credit.

Linda Friedman Ramirez

Saranac Lake