The Virginian-Pilot
©
RICHMOND
A bill that would have dedicated a portion of future revenues from the Port of Virginia to some of Hampton Roads' tranportation needs died in a Senate committee today.
Legislation sponsored by Del. Glenn Oder, R-Newport News, was designed to use similar mechanisms to collect money in other Virginia population centers, such as Northern Virginia and Richmond, to raise funds for road needs in those regions.
The bill, HB1579, was defeated in the Senate Finance committee Tuesday by a 12-4 vote.
In Hampton Roads, 30 cents of every dollar generated above the $1.2 billion the port currently raises for the state would be directed into state transportation funding, Oder said. Contributions to the transportation fund would be capped at $300 million annually, he said.
Directing criticism at the measure, Senate Majority Leader Richard Saslaw, D-Fairfax, said it is like so many that originate in the House of Delegates which remove money from state coffers "without raising taxes."
Revenue from the port flows into state accounts.
Responding to Saslaw, Oder contended that the money would come from future revenue growth.
"I'm not taking anything out of the existing General Fund," Oder said.
Virginia Transportation Secretary Pierce Homer spoke in opposition to the bill.
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Speaking of bums
Barrett states we need to replace the bums in richmond that want to rob peter to pay paul. What is the difference between the bums in richmond and the bums at SPSA? Both have the same twisted view of how to cook the books!
If the ports want a bridge, let them pay for using it!
So whats the answer Mr. Barrett?
So far the Democrats have offered nothing. The only "change" thats happening is that more ink and paper is being shipped to the Treasury Dept. at the expense of my grandchildren. So what's the answer? And you can't blame capitalism. The finger should be pointed at management. Isn't that how your business works?
Shell Game
This defeat was absolutely the right thing to do. We all have found out about the shell game, and this legislation was a classic shell game. Remember how the republicans cut the car tax, and only later did we realize that they actually had to pay the local governments for the loss of revenue, and that almost caused the Commonwealth to declare bankruptcy? Don't we ever learn? Have not we developed the basic knowledge to spot this kind of claim to have fixed a problem only to realize that it simply caused another one? No, we will not be through with these ridiculous games until the voters throw the bums out of the House of Delegates and replace them with serious legislators who understand that you can't keep robbing Peter to pay Paul. Howell and his majority must go and we must elect responsible legislators who will lead us to reverse the severe degradation that has occured in our roads, bridges, and transportation network.
Another mistake is made ...
This was a missed opportunity. The STATE owes the port. The STATE should pay for the 3rd Crossing and the "new" RT 460 - not just the folks living in Tidewater! Folks - blame those that voted against this bill for the failure to fund the two most expensive MPO projects that are desigend to benefit the Port of Virginia. Pierce Homer needs to go.
One City
If the multiple cities that make up Tidewater would become one city then we would have a lot more influence in Richmond. As long as the all the little kingdoms dominate the citizens of Tidewater will continue to neglected and slighted by those with more political clout, ie NoVa and the city of Richmond.
Typical
It appears the state democrat leadership would rather use "tax the citizen" instead of the "pay for use" concept. Problem started locally with the norfolk mayor wanting to tax and build, and then the lunacy traveled up to richmond. Nice try on the part of the eyes open GOP, but the democrat (taxin timmy) way of thinking obviously prevailed.
Another unbelievable act by the State Senate
Like the drilling revenues, another fair bill shot down over party politics. What party is in opposition to the bill? Who appoints the Transportation Secretary? Yeah, I thought so. The General Fund is the most abused fund in Richmond. Party politics. Better wake up people.
Of course
The Port interests have no intention of paying their share of the roads and tunnels they want built. They will simply hold every local project that might do us good hostage until we Hampton Roads taxpayers pay for their driveway.