RICHMOND
For the first time in anyone’s memory, legislators from Virginia’s two most populous regions sat around a table away from the state Capitol, trying to find common ground on how to pay for billions of dollars in transportation projects.
The session of what some lawmakers called a “new urban majority” in an office building in Henrico County led to some common ground. They generally agreed that each of the regions needs its own revenue plan and that new money also is needed to maintain aging roads in Virginia.
But on the issue of what taxes, tolls or fees might be raised or how they might convince other members of the General Assembly to help the two regions, the legislators weren’t of one mind.
“There is not unanimity on any of these approaches at this time,” said Del. Brian Moran, D-Alexandria. “We certainly all agree on what needs to be done … It’s the how that we’re struggling with.”
Reaching consensus on any topics Wednesday took coaxing.
Del. Glenn Oder, R-Newport News, had to urge a few legislators who initially declined to speak up on road funding.
“This is a real opportunity for all of us to hear where you are,” Oder said. “This is our only chance … Now is the time.”
About six weeks remain until lawmakers return to Richmond on June 23 for a special session to try to find a transportation funding fix. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, who has told some legislators that he would call them back on that day, is expected on Monday to unveil his own proposal for paying for transportation projects.
Finding compromise between House Republican leaders who oppose tax increases, and Democrats in the Senate whose plan features new levies is another obstacle. They also must deal with the conflicts between urban and rural lawmakers.
The state’s highway funding formula unfairly diverts money away from Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, said Del. David Albo, R-Fairfax, who wants any new money collected in those regions to stay there.
“I’ll tell you what I will not do,” Albo said. “I will not send money to southern Virginia . I’ve got to build roads in my neighborhoods.”
Funding fairness is a matter of perspective, said House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong, D-Henry, who was not at the meeting.
“If we don’t enact a statewide revenue source, it doesn’t matter what we do for Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia,” Armstrong said. “Without a statewide solution, you can’t fix the problem, and my region is left out.”
Increases to state sales taxes and gas taxes were the options most often discussed by legislators. Other ideas mentioned included higher income taxes for individuals who earn more than $300,000 and a new cigarette tax.
Del. Phillip Hamilton, R-Newport News, said those taxes have little chance of approval.
“Absent some agreement between the two chambers, a lot of the ideas that have been talked about aren’t going to get out of committee in the House of Delegates,” he said.
Del. Kenneth Alexander, D-Norfolk, said he would cast votes for the tax increases if given the chance.
“But we don’t serve on the committees that can make those decisions,” he said, predicting that House GOP leaders will have bills they oppose killed.
For the better part of this decade, legislators have struggled to find a way to pay for the state’s growing transportation costs.
“We have to tell ourselves the truth,” said Sen. Yvonne Miller, D-Norfolk. “You cannot fix transportation without a huge infusion of funds. You cannot have a huge infusion of funds unless people are able to bite the bullet and take the hard votes.”
Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com
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I've always been a fan of user fees
If you are going to use it then pay for it. I also believe we should have automated tolls. There are roads and highways I don't use at all, why should I have to pay for them?
I always thought
I always thought that money taken in by the DMV for licenses and tags was used for the Transportation fund. However, I do agree with Dr. Tabor, the only fair way is to put a toll system on the roads like they have in New York. I also think a Metro system like DC has would be helpful.
5 cents a gallon gas tax?
So John, only $1.00 more for a fill-up of 20 gallons? This is in addition to the $33.00 more that it costs us to fill-up for the same 20 gallons. This is more that a cup of coffee at Starbucks. We're talking about groceries now vice the occasional cup of java.
Northern Va
“I’ll tell you what I will not do,” Albo said. “I will not send money to southern Virginia."
Sounds like fighting words...Bet we could "whoop" them..lol
Once again Doc Tabor is on
Once again Doc Tabor is on the mark. Ditto sir!
Our traffic congestion needs
Our traffic congestion needs to be fixed it costs alot in time and money. Think of the gas being wasted sitting in traffic. Raise the gas tax 5 cents a gallon. Thats a dollar more a fill up for 20 gallons. Most people pay alot more than that for their Starbucks coffee or bottled water. Put another tube at the HRBT with a provision for a light rail track to be included. Get rid of the so called 3rd crossing it is just an extension of the Monitor Merrimac, expand 460,develope a comprehensive mass transit system to include the naval base and the peninsula. Look at DC's system I have used it and it saved me time and money. Getting cars off the road will benefit all of us.
Who Can Solve Our Transportation Woes
A man once told me either you are part of the solution or part of the problem. Unfortunately, our leadership in Richmond is becoming the later. Pretty soon "leaders" become irrelavent if they cannot craft solutions. Our urban "leaders" have muscle - you must step up to plate. Hell, I don't care if you are a Republican, Democract or Whig party, you have to get this transportation package off the ground this year. Our mayors and city councils need to get out and mobilize the troops and create a stir instead of just mopping around saying its not going to happen. Get a life and get crackin' - we need some movers and shakers to make it happen.
It takes 10 years to build a tunnel or 5 to 6 to do a high bridge. What are we waiting for?
Wake Up. They will take the
Wake Up. They will take the money already earmarked for roads and spend it on other stuff once they have new money to spend for roads. How many times have we seem this shell game?
Tax it this way
we each pay a tax on every road we drive on. Oops! I think that's called a toll!
Delay the Inevitable?
I like that. You know what the inevitable is, don't you? That's when I and many others eventually run out of money and go on welfare. No one can continue to fund tax and spend schemes in a collapsing economy.
Biggest problems...
First, a vast majority of Virginia knows that current transportation funds are being siphoned off to balance the budget. Second, the transportation crisis was sold to the public as commuter congestion. Commuters can agree but we find out that any "new" MPO plans for transporatation upgrades do not include ANY commuter congestion relief. Third, all of this talk is about endorsing tax increases but fail to indentify the projects that they would pay for. This is another backdoor attempt at taking more money from taxpayers and paying for fluff instead of what is needed for commuters. Enough already, we are not stupid. The demands are 1. return all money to the transportation fund and lock it down for transportation only. 2. Provide a comprehensive commuter congestion relief plan. 3. After the current roads are fixed or rerouted for commuters, then we can "talk" about what is nice to have.
Congestion is not the only problem
Congestion is not the only problem we face - we have an aging infrastructure and the highways and bridges are not being maintained like they use to - the longer this is delayed , the more expensive it will get.
The fair way to fund these needs is by increasing the gas tax. It will be proportinately paid by those who use the roads. It is a pay as you go and the means to collect the tax are in place.
I don't like the higher gas prices etc as well as anyone else - but delaying the inevitable does not help. We must insure that the gas tax money goes specifically to roads and nothing else. VDOT was robbed of so much money years ago by our Governor and it's killing us
Our roads, bridges and tunnels are a mess and are not getting any better.
IF
Hay this was a good artical..I think it was writen befor..was it not? It sounds the same..The last time Va. Legislators got together to talk about roads road funding and the likes they came up with the same conclusion NOTHING..I wonder how much it cost the tax payers to have our legislators come together like this to just walk away with no solutions..It makes me wonder whats happening to the taxes that are being collected now.The word accountability comes to mind but I think it does not apply to our goverment..IF there are more people living here today than yesterday and property values were increased and more taxes collected form comsumers and home owners than yesterday then one would think there would be more money..am I wrong??I lived here most of my life at age 17 I use to complain about the toll boths along 44 and was glad to see them go..WHY did they go..whoes idea was it to remove them??I bet some legislator used their removal as their plat form to be elected..I bet those dimes and quarters added up..
How about a tax based on how far you live from your workplace?
The people with the longest commutes need the transportation fixes the most and will benefit the most. So why not make them pay for it with a special income or property tax, and if they don't want to they can move closer (i.e. across the water) and improve traffic for everyone else. Maybe throw in higher some hotel taxes to make tourists to pay their fair share, and a couple pennies of gas tax to make sure the rest of the state chips in for infrastructure that indirectly benefits them as well.
Lottery
I still say use some of the lottery funds (those funds are voluntary and without taxing). Instead of sending lottery contriutions to the teachers retirement fund, the teachers could start a 401k plan like alot of other individuals do. And use that portion of retirement funds for roads, or use scratch off lottery tickets designed to contribute to transportation projects only.
Its not the funding, its the plan
Voters did not reject the same package in 2002 by a two to one margin because they weren't willing to pay for congestion relief, they rejected a special interest plan for a driveway for the Port of Virginia which will do little if anything to help us here in Tidewater.
The GA can try a hundred different tax schemes to fund a package we don't want and there will still be resistance.
Self-finance the 3rd crossing and new 460 with automated tolls, and you will find the people of Tidewater willing to finance those improvements that will actually solve our problems.
Hotel/Tourist Fee
I think the only revenue source the legislature will be able to agree on will be a sort of hotel/tourist fee. A fee charged when a hotel room is rented per night will probably be the only source of revenue that the entire legislature will be able to agree on.
Local dollars pay for local roads
Heaven forbid the people and businesses that use the roads should pay for them. Tolls are the best choice. I'm not a fan of paying more however I use the roads in this area nad I am a realist. Let's face it people tolls have covered the cost through New York and the rest of the north east and it works. My unsolicited advice – Get an EZ Pass and roll with it.
Cant wait until our favorite
Cant wait until our favorite tax and spend builder comes on and calls us all anti-tax zealots. This problem shows years of a lack of leadership. Solutions should no longer EVER be about increaed taxes. Arent we paying enough? Assume forever, that raising taxes isnt an option. Now, how would you get this done? I have some thoughts but alas,,, no one's listening.
Is raising taxes the only way???
Gas will soon be $4.00 a gallon. Grocery's are 33% more than they were a year ago, real estate taxes keep going up and the housing market is flat. The working man does not stand a chance in these days. These knuckleheads meet together and the best thing they can say is "I'll support the tax increases"!! Time to cut the fluff, do away with funding projects that are not a necessity and re-direct the money. The folks who keep this world spinning are the middle income blue collar folks who are shouldering the burden now just like we have for the last 50 years. I could give a hoot about thet traffic issues in northern Va. Hampton Roads has its own traffic issues. Time for the port authority to belly up to the bar and pay for their fair share. This supposed "3rd crossing" as well as the new Rt. 460 will benefit the ports as much as it will the residents yet we the residents will pay for it? What is wrong with this picture? Our elected officials better wake up and realize our pockets are dry! See what Suffolk did to their city assessor yesterday? Hellooooo??