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Senate brings 'road' show here
Finance Committee holds public meeting; some opponents say they didn't have chance to speak.
Date published: 5/12/2006
By KELLY HANNON Virginia Sen. Janet Howell, D-Fairfax, got a peek at the life of Fredericksburg-area commuters yesterday. She sat in nightmarish traffic, from Northern Virginia all the way to the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center, where the Senate Finance Committee was presenting transportation bills at a public meeting. "It took me three hours and 15 minutes to get there," Howell said, to the knowing laughter of the audience. The light moment underscored the reason for the gathering, concern over the state's transportation infrastructure and how to pay for improvements and maintenance in future years as the population booms. The Senate Finance Committee has been hosting public meetings across the state to drum up interest in the topic. Last night's stop in Fredericksburg nearly filled a ballroom. Many who spoke lamented the current budget stalemate between the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate over transportation funding. Sen. John Chichester, R-Northumberland, seemed to indicate something could happen soon. "Crunch time is near. This is very very close to the time we have to pull the trigger," he said. Sen. Edd Houck, D-Spotsylvania, also attended the meeting. The difference between the transportation plans was presented by Finance Committee staff. The Senate provides new, permanent sources of revenue for transportation with a mix of higher taxes and fees. By comparison, the House doesn't want to raise taxes. Its plan would use money from the state's general fund, which also pays for education, public safety and health care. Without a budget of any kind, local roads will suffer, said Virginia Secretary of Transportation Pierce Homer. Primary, secondary and urban road construction projects will get $870 million less in funding over the next six years if nothing is done. Sen. Charles Hawkins, R-Chatham, gave a fiery address, saying transportation is the greatest challenge for the current generation of Virginians. He said technology companies in Northern Virginia that fuel the state's economy will flee if the quality of life degrades because of poor roads. Hawkins defended the Senate's plan to raise taxes and fees. "Reality is, anything we do in this country is paid for by taxpayers," Hawkins said. Most of the public who had a chance to speak agreed with Hawkins.
Date published: 5/12/2006
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