Northern Virginia lawmakers faced a tough decision Tuesday night as they prepared to vote on a major transportation funding bill — should they support the bill because the region desperately needs more money for roads and transit, or should they vote against the bill because they found it flawed?
Some backed the bill because without it, the chances of increased transportation funding this year would be microscopic.
“I am willing to vote for someone’s grandma with a shovel, a bag of cement and an attitude if she’s willing to get something done on transportation,” said Del. David Marsden, D-Fairfax.
The measure passed 61-37 and is on its way to the Senate, where some members have said they could try to amend it.
About a dozen Northern Virginia lawmakers, mostly Democrats, voted against the bill.
“We need a real statewide plan, not a piddling bunch of taxes,” said Del. Vivian Watts, D-Annandale, a former Virginia secretary of transportation. “It is inadequate. It is a piddling hammer when we need the full brunt of the commonwealth to help us.”
Several lawmakers from the region objected to the plan’s use of $250 million per year out of the state’s general fund, money that historically has been reserved for education, public health and public safety.
“I do not believe that raiding the general fund and putting the commonwealth in financial jeopardy in the future is the right thing to do,” said Del. Brian Moran, D-Alexandria.
The plan also drew two “no” votes from Republicans, Jeff Frederick and Robert Marshall, both of whom represent Prince William County.
“It isn’t a good deal for Prince William and Loudoun,” Marshall said. “Fairfax County has too much power to decide where the local funds are spent.”
Gov. Tim Kaine, a Democrat, has largely praised the House bill but said he still has qualms about the general fund expenditures and how the proposal’s $2 billion in bonds will be repaid.
“We will continue to work closely with the leaders in the House and the Senate to address those concerns,” Kaine said.
