Government Affairs

General Assembly Update

March 28, 2007

SUPPORT THE GOVERNOR’S AMENDMENTS TO THE TRANSPORTATION FUNDING LEGISLATION

This week, the Governor proposed sweeping amendments to the transportation funding bill (HB 3202) that would:

  • Increase the bond funding package to $3 billion.
  • Provide a dedicated funding source for the bond package.
  • Provide more than $535 million in new transportation revenues statewide.
  • Allow for workable regional transportation funding packages, which would allow Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads to raise $400 million and $200 million a year respectively.
  • Provide that 2/3 of any future budget surpluses would go to transportation.
  • Provide an additional $200 million a year for highway maintenance.

The legislation provides for more than $1 billion a year in new funding for transportation, providing that the Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads localities enact the newly authorized fees and taxes.

Today, the VTCA Board of Directors and Legislative Committee voted unanimously to support the Governor’s amendments. Acknowledging that the legislation does not fully address the maintenance funding shortfall or provide adequate funding for major corridor initiatives, VTCA leadership feels that this is a major step forward in addressing the Commonwealth’s transportation problems.

The General Assembly will reconvene on April 4th to vote on the Governor’s amendments. Please take a few minutes and call, write or visit your Delegate and Senator to let them know you support the Governor’s amendments to HB 3202 and ask them to support those amendments on April 4th.

The message is: “The Governor’s proposed amendments to HB 3202 are a substantial improvement to the legislation and would provide a significant and workable beginning to solving the Commonwealth’s transportation funding crisis. While we believe that additional sustainable funding is necessary to address highway maintenance and major corridor initiatives, we support the Governor’s amendments as a major step in the right direction, and ask you to support those amendments on April 4th.“

You can find your Delegate’s contact information by clicking on their name on the following web site: Delegate Contact Information

You can find your Senator’s contact information by clicking on their name on the following web site: Senator Contact Information