Legislators reach some consensus on roads plan

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