Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell wants to raise the interstate speed limit, put tolls on two interstates coming from North Carolina and sell off the state's liquor stores, putting the proceeds into transportation.
McDonnell, announcing his transportation plan to reporters yesterday, also said he would allow Northern Virginia to keep a portion of its sales tax revenues for transportation, and would make projects like HOT lanes on I-95 a priority.
His transportation plan includes a number of proposals, although no tax increases; the idea of raising the gas tax, or raising sales taxes in certain regions of the state, has usually been a component of transportation proposals in the legislature in recent years.
McDonnell said he doesn't think families and businesses can handle a tax increase in this poor economy, and he thinks the gas tax is not a sustainable method of long-term transportation revenue.
But he does think transportation improvements are critical to the economy.
"I don't think there's any question that transportation infrastructure is one of the most [pressing] needs facing Virginia if we're going to continue to create jobs," McDonnell said.
His proposal calls for better use of bonds and would seek federal permission to use stimulus money for transportation projects immediately.
McDonnell also would privatize the state-owned liquor stores, putting the proceeds into transportation; put tolls on I-95 and I-85 as they enter Virginia from North Carolina; raise the speed limit on most interstates to 70 mph; allow Northern Virginia to keep a percentage of its sales tax; and dedicate a percentage of future revenue growth and future surpluses to transportation.
Some of those promises have McDonnell's opponent, Democratic state Sen. Creigh Deeds, accusing McDonnell of taking money from schools to give it to roads.
Deeds issued a release yesterday saying that by diverting part of Northern Virginia's sales tax to transportation, he would deprive the state's general fund of a billion dollars. The general fund helps pay for education.
Deeds was similarly critical of McDonnell's plans to earmark future revenue growth and surplus money for transportation instead of education.
"There is a lot we can agree on," Deeds wrote. "But one thing we can't do is divert funds currently going to public schools to pay for roads."
Deeds announced parts of his own transportation proposal on Monday, as part of his economic plan.
Both men support expanded rail, including high-speed rail, and tax credits for telework.
Chelyen Davis: 540/368-5028
Email: cdavis@freelancestar.com
| Impose a border toll on traffic coming into Virginia from North Carolina along I-85 and I-95.
Privatize Virginia's Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) stores and dedicate proceeds to transportation. Take a percentage of the sales tax collected in Northern Virginia for a dedicated regional transportation account. Support HOT lanes. Expand 70 mph speed limit to sections of interstates in Virginia. Currently only a portion of I-85 has a 70 mph limit. Dedicate a percentage Spend 75 percent of future surplus funds on transportation. Expand public-private partnership agreements for major projects. |