Del. David Albo, R-Springfield, proposed a Northern Virginia transportation bill that would have raised more than $400 million for the region during the General Assembly’s transportation special session. It was rejected Tuesday by the House Finance Committee by a 17-5 vote.
Why did you get into politics?
When I moved back to my hometown in Springfield after law school, I began volunteering for community service organizations. I worked with West SpringfieldCivic Association and served on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ Transportation Advisory Committee. When my predecessor, Del. Bob Cunningham, announced his retirement, he asked me to run and all of the sudden, I was in politics.
What is your favorite part of the job?
The best part of being a delegate is helping solve problems. I believe that solving people’s problems is the whole purpose of the job.
What is your least favorite part of the job?
It is very hard on legislators and their families to withstand all the negative campaigning that is so prevalent in campaigns these days.
Why did your fellow House Republicans kill your Northern Virginia transportation bill?
When people demand that their solution is the only solution and do not agree to compromise, then nothing gets done. Unfortunately, members of the House Finance Committee chose to follow their mantra that no new revenue is needed for roads and rail. I, too, believe that roads and rail should be built with existing funds. However, that approach was defeated by Southern Virginians in the Senate in the late 90s, in the early 00s, in 05 and in 06.
In order to find a solution to transportation, members of the House and Senate must compromise.
My compromise was to raise new revenue by charging commercial offices, developers, tourists and the 80,000 people moving into NOVA each year. All I asked of my constituents was to pay $30 per year for auto registration. Since 90 percent of the revenue was to be paid by businesses, developers, newcomers and tourists, my constituents would get $300 in new roads money for the $30 they would pay.
What can Northern Virginia expect to come out of this special session, if anything?
Can’t tell you until Saturday at the end of the special session.
