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By DONALD DEL ROSSO
Arundel Newspapers Staff Writer
RICHMOND—The Senate Rules Committee wants to broaden discussion of roadbuilding revenue measures during the General Assembly’s special session beginning Sept. 15.
The members also agreed the session should run no later than Sept. 27, though most said it should last about a week.
Reflecting some dissatisfaction with the scope of the revenue proposals by the Commission on Transportation in the 21st Century, the powerful committee agreed last Thursday that senators should be allowed to introduce additional legislation directly related to raising funds to help finance the statewide roadbuilding program.
But Senate Rules Chairman Hunter B. Andrews (D-Hampton) warned the stipulations are “tentative” until the committee meets with the House Rules Committee. No date was set for that meeting.
The blue-ribbon commission estimates Virginia’s transportation needs are $10.2 billion during the next 10 years.
Sen. Charles L. Waddell (DLoudoun/Fairfax) and other legislators doubt the commission’s tax and pledge bond proposals will generate enough revenue to cover critical road needs in the state’s rapidly growing urban and suburban areas.
For that reason, the rules committee member and chairman of the Senate Transportation Commission firmly believes localities should be empowered to raise road funds as need be.
Sen. Waddell has suggested that could be accomplished on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis or through groups of governments.
Such local options could include the so-called “Loudoun Initiative,” which would permit counties and cities to increase the recordation fee on property.
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