Shall We Delay?
Posted by Chap at 6/24/2008 1:45 PM and is filed under uncategorized 
The session is in full swing. I've had four Committee meetings today (Natural Resources, Transpo, General Laws, and Privileges and Elections), and it's not even 3 pm.
The major bills have been referred to the Finance Committee while we work around the edges. But we all have various legislation to consider.
A few minutes ago, the P&E Committee passed a proposed constitutional amendment to place Transportation Trust Funds and General Funds in "lockbox" security so they cannot be used by future Assemblies for other purposes.
Like all amendments, this is the first step in a long two-year process for amending the constitution. It has to pass the House in 2008, pass both bodies in 2009 and then pass the voters. So we're just get started.
This afternoon, Senator John Watkins (R-Powhatan) suggested on the floor that the Senate should hold hearings around the state on transportation before we enact any plan.
I thought that was pretty funny. What else have we been doing the last two months?
As for me, I've spoken to at least 20-25 groups since we adjourned in March. And that's not counting emails, phone calls or personal conversations.
You may agree or disagree with various proposals, but no one can doubt that the legislature has had sufficient information to act.
Chap,
A year ago I was all for raising taxes to improve transportation, but with all due respect, it strikes me as inhumane to raise taxes while we are trying to deal with record fuel prices and a deepening recession.
I find it hard to believe that the Republicans can deny the obvious truth of the crisis in transportation in Virginia. Their argument seems to be that they don't want anyone to pay any more in taxes, but now with gas over $4 a gallon, it is perfectly OK to pay at the pump. To say nothing of the value of the extra time Virginians spend in huge traffic jams every day. Then, there is the need to confront global climate change, which also is a major priority and would be helped by more public transit resources.
Thanks for the opportunity to comment on actions underway in Richmond. No need to respond. Transportation is an incredibly complex arena in which to reach consensus. It will take time to find a solution that enough legislators can live with. However, having lived in Norther Virginia for 32 years, I've seen far too much of our money spent on pristine, little-used roads south of here,where they get to use tax dollars we generate. We are the economic engine for the state. We should not be encumbered by additional taxes (gasoline, sales, auto registration)while the rest of the state gets the majority of the rest of the tax revenues. It's time for the rest of the state to pay for the benefit of our work. Transportation improvements should come from a major reallocation of revenue paid by the whole state to our area for transportation requirements. If the assembly increases taxes in our area just for our use, the rest of the tax income will go disproportionately to mid- and souther-Virginia. I hope you will only support legislation that brings tax funds generated by the entire state to our area. If transporation problems stymie development here, the rest of the state will suffer from a greater loss of revenue. The assembly leadership is dominated by the other areas of the state. Their resistance must be overcome by using hard data. Otherwise, they can't sell the message that their constituents will lose by their short-sighedness. I've used far too many words to simply say "NO MORE TAXES IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA FOR TRANSPORTATION." The cost of fuel is driving prices for everything ever higher; we cannot deal with greater taxes without further harm to our economy. Thanks for your time.
Chap,
I agree with your third criteria-does Fairfax County get back its fair share?.Since Northern Va. supplies so much to the state of Virginia in the way of dollars and jobs and revenue, the rest of the state can't keep feeling that this is our problem. It is a problem for the entire state to sjpport and solve.
Dear Chap,
I really appreciate your job of boiling down the competing transportation funding proposals for us. No local media has done anything like this, to my knowledge.
I am with you 100% when you balk at the "tax and pave" concept. I'm all for opening bottlenecks, but the idea of adding another lane whenever traffic backs up is self defeating, because it always promotes residential development farther out, and within a few years it takes just as long to make a trip on the highway as it did before all the money was spent and inconvenience suffered. The State of Maryland did a study a few years ago on the effect of widening I-270 and found just this effect.
As for how to raise the money for the transportation projects that are necessary, I'm intrigued by the ideas of lowering some sales taxes while raising taxes on gasoline, because only in this way will the effect on the poor and near-poor be minimized. Of course, the obvious solution would be one that Del. Albo proposed right after the Virginia Supreme Court decision was handed down -- simply have the General Assembly enact all the taxes and fees that the regional transportation authority had imposed (minus the abusive driver fees, of course!).
Just make sure the other party doesn't duck its responsibilities - make it clear to them that no bill will pass unless it gets a majority of the votes of both parties in both houses.
Good luck in Richmond - I'm glad you are down there pulling for us!
Chap,
Thanks for your efforts down in Richmond. I'd like to know what you mean by "...1. Do they promote a 21st century transportation model?" Exactly what is a 21st century transportation model?
thanks for the post. By 21st century, I'm looking for dedicated funds for mass transit (bus, VRE, Metro, etc) which can be used to match and thus leverage Federal funds. Also, the ability to mix in grants for bike paths, pedestrian paths, etc. A multi-modal network.
Chap,
Yesterday on a party line vote in the senate a regional lockbox bill was defeated. This bill would have ensured monies raised in Northern Virginia stay in Northern Virginia. Why did you vote against this bill? We are already sending enough to Richmond.
thanks Bob. There's actually a long response and a short one. Due to time constraints, here's the short one -- we are incorporating the same concept into SJR 6004 which is the "double lockbox" amendment to protect transpo funds.
Thanks very much for the response. Its greatly appreciated.
Gives me hope for the democracy of the future
Chap,
Can you enlighten us on SB6011? I dont see a reason to not drill offshore (been around it all my life back in TX). I understand we need to find alternatives, all for that, but at the same time, it wouldnt hurt to strengthen our own US supply. Granted, the oil market is quite a mess and there is no quick fix and offshore drilling probably wont help the actual gas price, BUT what it can do is provide revenue to VA! This in turn could lessen the tax burden of VA citizens. Like my fellow virginians above mentioned being taxed, especially now in these economic times, another form of income to VA not from taxpayers would be quite beneficial.
jb:
Thanks for your post. I'm not sold on off-shore drilling as a solution, however, it is an option as you say. The problem with SB 6011 is it's premature. The Feds currently prohibit off-shore drilling. Until the law is changed, it's 100% hypothetical for VA to spend any "royalties" from offshore exploration. If the Fed policy is reversed, I'd be open to revisiting this issue with the proviso that the funds be used primarily for Bay restoration. Anyway, that's my 2 cents.
Chap:
What's with the lockbox vote in the Privileges and Elections Committee? It keeps regional taxes in region - no? I hear the republicans unanimously supported the bill. I hear Janet Howell voted no. What did you vote? Should regional taxes for transportation be spen in the region they were collected? Why would any NoVA legislator vote against this?
Donald: See my above response to Bob and the enrolled version of SJR 6004 (just passed today by the whole Senate), which incorporates this same concept into one consolidated bill.
Chap:
Excellent news. Thank you for your hard work on behalf of the voters and taxpayers in Northern Virginia.
Regards,
Don