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Stopping Illegal American Airlines Tax Dollar Giveaway

M. Winter & R. Shanker v. City of Columbia

Case Status

Date Filed

June 17, 2026

Last Step

Petition for Declaratory Judgment and Injunctive Relief filed

Next Step

Case Overview

Taxpayers should not be forced to guarantee a private airline’s profits.

But that is exactly what the City of Columbia, Missouri, has agreed to do. Under a new agreement with American Airlines, Columbia has promised to guarantee the airline’s monthly revenue goals for a new route between Columbia Regional Airport and Charlotte, North Carolina. If the route does not generate enough money in a given month, American can look to the City to cover the shortfall.

The total revenue guarantee is $1.5 million. Half of that amount comes from private businesses and organizations that voluntarily chose to support the route. There is nothing wrong with that. Private entities that believe they will benefit from the new route are free to risk their own money.

But the other half—$750,000—comes from Columbia’s Transportation Sales Tax fund. That means public money is being used as a safety net for a private corporation.

The Goldwater Institute is representing Columbia taxpayers to stop the City from using public money to subsidize American Airlines’ bottom line. Tax dollars should be spent on direct public benefits. They may not be used to protect a multi-billion-dollar airline from disappointing ticket sales.

Case Logistics

The plaintiffs are Mark Winter and Richard Shanker, individual Columbia taxpayers who bear a share of the tax burden and are liable for replenishing the public coffers for unlawful government subsidies. Mr. Winter and Mr. Shanker both previously served on Columbia’s Airport Advisory Board.

The defendant is the City of Columbia, Missouri.

American Airlines is not a defendant. The Gift Clause places its restrictions on governmental entities.

The case was filed in the Circuit Court of Boone County, Missouri, on June 17, 2026.

Case Documents

Petition for Declaratory Judgment and Injunctive Relief
Exhibit 1: Air Service Agreement between City of Columbia and American Airlines
Backgrounder: Winter v. Columbia

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