Pedestrian safety and residential overcrowding lead a Loudoun County legislative agenda for next year that was widely expected to include a broader push for laws against those who hire illegal immigrants.
The plan that board supervisors will discuss Tuesday calls for Virginia to triple the maximum fine on owners of overcrowded houses to $7,500, which many supervisors have tied to the issue of illegal immigration.
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Another would strengthen pedestrian safety requirements on 35 mph roadways following two fatal crashes this year and concern that the crowded road network is becoming tougher for people who walk to stores, schools and jobs.
Nine pedestrians have been killed in car accidents since 2001, sheriff’s spokesman Kraig Troxell said, and the two crashes this year highlighted concerns about crossing Loudoun’s busy thoroughfares.
Supervisors had considered asking the legislature for a broad assortment of illegal-immigration proposals, including measures to deny business licenses and building permits to companies that hire illegal laborers.
However, the county’s legislative liaison, Eric Link, said the board has not approved those measures for the formal agenda.
Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio, the board’s most vocal critic of illegal immigration, said he was satisfied with the proposals for stiffer fines on homeowners and noted that more options could be discussed at a Nov. 29 board meeting.
The board has not discussed the school board’s proposals to give the supervisors power to impose a county sales tax and county cigarette tax to help pay for education, Link said.
The legislative framework for the 2008 General Assembly session will be modified until the session’s start in January, Assistant County Executive John Sandy said.
Prince William County, where illegal immigration has dominated the public agenda for months, is expected to request broad new enforcement powers to crack down on illegal immigration.
Pedestrian deaths by year
2002: 3
2003: 1
2004: 1
2005: 0 (2 cyclists)
2006: 1
2007: 2
