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Make a difference
The General Assembly this month will play a major role in shaping
Virginia history when it will consider a package of controversial revenue measures designed to help fund a massive statewide roadbuilding program.
Depending on the outcome, history will either credit or blame Gov. Gerald L. Baliles, who got the ball rolling by putting the transportation issue at the top of his administration’s agenda by helping to form the special transportation commission, whose proposals will be hashed out during the special legislative session beginning Sept. 15.
Most everyone agrees that transportation is the most critical issue facing Virginia today, that the state’s economic future may ride on the decisions the legislators make during the session, as the governor so passionately stated last week.
“We face transportation conditions that, if allowed to continue unaddressed, could strangle our commerce and erode the quality of our lives,” Gov. Baliles told Senate committee members Thursday.
Most state representatives seem to agree the stakes indeed are as high as the governor suggests. But that’s where he and many legislators —Democrat and Republican alike — apparently part company.
Recommendations by the Commission on Transportation in the 21st Century call for substantial sales, gasoline and vehicle titling taxes. And in an unprecedented move in Virginia history, the blueribbon commission also suggested using “pledge” bonds, if needed, to support transportation projects.
State legislators have doubts about those measures. Some believe they’re excessive, some believe they won’t begin to cover Virginia’s projected $10.2 billion transportation needs during the next decade.
Sen. William A. Truban (R-Fauquier/Warren) believes the proposed sales and gasoline taxes won’t “fly” and will need some “fine tuning” before he could support increases in these areas.
Sen. Charles Waddell (D-Loudoun/Fairfax), a strong Baliles’ supporter, believes the commission could have taken a more creative approach to raising the needed roadbuilding funds by giving localities the authority to raise funds to support badly needed area roads.
State officials will continue to express opinions about how Virginia should best finance its transportation needs; politicians are never at a loss for words. What’s needed now more than ever is public input on this most critical issue.
A statewide public hearing on the commission’s recommendations will be held in Richmond on Thursday, Sept. 11 beginning at 9:30 a.m. in House Room D of the General Assembly Building.
On Sept. 6, Sen. Kevin Miller (R-26th District) will hold two informational meetings in his district.
We urge those who can’t make the public hearing or the 26th District meetings to contact their General Assembly representatives and let them know what you think about the proposed tax measures. Don’t be content to sit by idly while historic decisions affecting your very quality of life are made in Richmond.
Our state representative s are:
Sen. Kevin G. Miller (Fauquier/Rapphannock).(703) 568-6842
Del. R. Guest (Fauquier/Rappahannock/Warren).(703) 635-8822
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