June 23, 2008

Governor pitches plan to special session of General Assembly

Gov. Tim Kaine urged the General Assembly today to remedy what he called “a state transportation crisis.” 

Speaking to a special session of the legislature, Kaine said his proposed plan would cover the cost of performing necessary highway maintenance and provide money for a construction program.  It also, Kaine said, would give Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads additional money for construction projects in those regions based on a one-percent regional sales tax.  Kaine also wants more state investment in rail and public transit, carpooling, teleworking and other innovative strategies. 

The governor has been pressing hard in the days leading up to the special session for a solution that can make it through the General Assembly, which has been sharply divided over the issue for six years. 

Before addressing the joint session today, Kaine spoke at a press conference attended by members of the Virginia Business Council and local government officials in support of additional transportation funding.  After that Kaine participated in a conference call with the leadership of VML and VACo.  In that call, he renewed his pledge not to sign legislation that shifted responsibility for funding the state’s transportation program to localities.  Kaine also thanked the 55 local governments that have adopted resolutions urging action on transportation funding.

VML has urged its members to adopt resolutions that recognize that it is the Commonwealth’s responsibility to impose the new taxes and fees for transportation.  A copy of the resolution is available in the May 30 issue of Update; please be sure to send copies of any resolutions to Neal Menkes (nmenkes@vml.org) at VML.           

Many Republican members of the House of Delegates oppose the proposed tax increases in the governor’s plan. They are calling for an audit of the Virginia Department of Transportation and the use of tolls, congestion pricing and public-private partnerships.  News releases from the speaker are posted at his web site.

Kaine has countered that his plan embraces tolls, and that Virginia is recognized nationally as a leader in the effective use of public-private transportation partnerships. Del. Ward Armstrong has introduced Kaine’s plan in HB 6026.  The bill is likely to be sent to the House Finance Committee, where it would face overwhelming opposition from the committee’s Republican majority.  No House committees met today; and no committee meetings are scheduled for June 24 as of 4:45 p.m., June 23. 

In addition to HB 6026, numerous other transportation bills have been introduced.  The complete list is available on the LIS web site.

The Senate Finance Committee reviewed a number of Senate bills and is scheduled to vote on them on Tuesday.  Tuesday’s Legislative Bulletin will include a review of the bills, as well as any other legislative news.

The Senate measures will likely be before the full Senate on Wednesday.            

It is unclear whether the session will last three days or three weeks.  The resolution that sets the procedures for the session restricts legislative activity to transportation issues and the election of judges, but does not contain an adjournment date.

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