Just because the General Assembly and Gov. Tim Kaine agreed this week on Virginia’s first major transportation-funding package in 21 years does not mean the end of efforts to generate even more money for roads and mass transit.
Estimates call for the transportation bill to pump $500 million to $600 million a year into Northern Virginia, the largest infusion in the state’s history. A study by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, however, calculated the region needs $750 million a year for 25 years for new projects plus more for maintenance.
“This is not enough,” Del. Vivian Watts, D-Annandale said. “It is a step in the right direction, but we need five or six more steps.”
Watts wants to see additional revenue from statewide sources and more money generated inside Northern Virginia.
Reaching an agreement on the funding package approved Wednesday required much compromise and was helped along by the looming November elections when all 140 legislative seats are on the line. The ballot-box pressure will not be there next year, and not everyone will be pushing for more money right away.
“After a decade of advocacy culminating in this vote [Wednesday], you won’t see many of us asking for more next year,” Northern Virginia Transportation Commission Chairman David Snyder said. “We will be implementing this legislation and delivering its benefits to the people. … While some more could have been done, the fact is that much more was accomplished this session than anyone could have even dreamed of.”
Whatever legislative push is mounted for more transportation funds will not be coming just from Northern Virginia. Legislators from Hampton Roads, southwest Virginia and other parts of the state said they will advocate for additional money.
“This is a short-term deal,” Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath said. “It helps us for a few years, but that’s it.”
Lawmakers would like to increase the gas tax to fund transportation because out-of-state drivers passing through the commonwealth would pay about 40 percent of the increase, but the House of Delegates has frequently rejected the idea.
