Northern Virginia Republicans want their colleagues to vote for Gov. Tim Kaine’s changes to a transportation funding bill today, fearing further delay could kill the first major revenue package for roads and mass transit in 21 years.
Though local lawmakers are not happy with all of Kaine’s changes to the Republican-authored measure, especially adding new fees on Northern Virginia motorists, they do not want to send the bill back to a legislative committee for possible tweaking.
“I am afraid it will not come back out,” said Del. David Albo, R-Springfield, who crafted the Northern Virginia section of the legislation. “This is too important to run the risk that the bill will be killed.”
Kaine has threatened to veto the measure if the General Assembly rejects his amendments, but gubernatorial spokesman Kevin Hall said the governor is optimistic.
“There has been a lot of cooperation with legislators,” Hall said.
The General Assembly last created significant new revenue sources for transportation in 1986. Kaine has made transportation funding his administration’s top priority, but could not cajole lawmakers into agreement last year despite forcing the General Assembly to stay in session six months past its scheduled adjournment.
“We are inside the 10-yard line heading toward the end zone,” Northern Virginia Transportation Commission Chairman David Snyder said. “We just need to take that final step.”
The measure calls for $3 billion in bonds for projects across Virginia and another $400 million from tax and fee increases for Northern Virginia projects. The region is expected to receive $500 million to $600 million a year between the bonds and local revenue. The bill, as it arrived on Kaine’s desk, relied on the commercial real estate tax for about half of Northern Virginia’s annual revenue ($200 million). The governor’s proposal taxes hotel rooms, rental cars and vehicle repairs and also raises fees for automobile registrations and safety inspections.
“This bill takes a significant step forward in addressing the transportation challenges that face our region,” Del. Tim Hugo, R-Fairfax, said.
