“Sound of Something Better”: AERO Act Takes Flight with Promise of Jobs, Growth and Airport Reinvestment in Kern County
Earlier this month, Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) gathered with city and county leaders at Meadows Field Airport to introduce legislation aimed at restoring critical funding for California’s regional airports. Known as the AERO Act (SB 661), the bill would redirect existing jet fuel sales tax revenues—currently funneled into the state’s General Fund—into the Aeronautics Account to support airport infrastructure, safety, and service expansion statewide.
By Jason Land Jr., Contributing Writer | Bakersfield News Observer
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Earlier this month, Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) gathered with city and county leaders at Meadows Field Airport to introduce legislation aimed at restoring critical funding for California’s regional airports. Known as the AERO Act (SB 661), the bill would redirect existing jet fuel sales tax revenues—currently funneled into the state’s General Fund—into the Aeronautics Account to support airport infrastructure, safety, and service expansion statewide.
Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh, David Martinez, and Melissa Hurtado (centered to right) with Airport staff and union members. (Photo: Jason Land, Jr.)
The June 20 press conference brought together an influential coalition: Kern County Airports Director Michael Musca, Kern County Supervisor Jeff Flores, Bakersfield Mayor Karen K. Goh, airport workers, union leaders, and education partners from the California Aeronautical University. Together, they made the case that SB 661 is not just about planes—it’s about people, progress, and the future of the Central Valley.
David Martinez, President of Communications Workers of America Union Local 9416, opened the event by calling attention to the workers who keep Meadows Field running. From assisting travelers in extreme heat to ensuring security protocols are met, he praised their dedication. Yet many of these workers, Martinez noted, have been without a contract for over 18 months, often juggling multiple jobs. He issued a direct appeal to P1 Airlines to resume negotiations: “SB 661 is about more than aviation– it’s about accountability, reinvestment, and supporting the working families that keep airports running.”
Senator Hurtado followed, linking the bill to the broader struggles many working Californians face. She positioned SB 661 as both an economic fix and a symbol of hope. “There’s a sound of something better in Kern County,” she said, urging attendees to see Meadows Field not as an afterthought but as a vital part of California’s transportation and economic infrastructure. Without reinvestment, she warned, regional airports like Bakersfield’s risk falling behind while major hubs elsewhere race ahead.
Supervisor Jeff Flores echoed the urgency and historical significance of the bill, noting Meadows Field’s longstanding contributions to Kern County’s growth—from terminal expansions to international flights. “With the right investment,” he said, “Meadows Field can become a true economic engine, creating jobs and new opportunities across the region.” Flores praised Senator Hurtado’s leadership in recognizing the airport’s potential and stepping up to secure its future.
Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh (Photo: Jason Land, Jr.)
Mayor Karen Goh built on those sentiments, reaffirming the airport’s role in the city’s rapid expansion. She enthusiastically backed the bill, echoing Hurtado’s earlier phrase: “Today we are celebrating the sound of something better—and indeed, this bill is the sound of something better!” Goh emphasized that SB 661 will allow Bakersfield to compete with larger metropolitan areas by attracting business, increasing tourism, and ensuring local job growth.
Interim Director of Kern County Airports Michael Musca. (Photo: Jason Land, Jr.)
Michael Musca, Interim Director of Kern County Airports, closed the round of remarks by stressing the practicality of the bill. “This isn’t about new taxes,” he said. “It’s about using existing revenue the way it was meant to be used.” Musca affirmed that targeted reinvestment will help regional airports like Meadows Field modernize facilities, increase service routes, and better serve the communities that rely on them.
Senator Hurtado wrapped up the event with a reminder: SB 661 does not create a new tax. It simply directs already-collected jet fuel sales tax revenue into the infrastructure that fuels California’s aviation economy. With strong backing from labor, local government, and regional stakeholders, the AERO Act represents a bipartisan opportunity to reinvest in underserved communities and secure long-term growth for local airports across the state.
