Press Releases

House Republicans Kill Transportation Solution

Posted by Greg on Wednesday, July 09

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, July 9, 2008


HOUSE REPUBLICANS KILL TRANSPORTATION SOLUTION

~ Party of "no" obstructs compromise solutions, opposes tax cut ~
~ Virginians told to remain in traffic ~

RICHMOND - Today the Republican Majority of the House of Delegates killed the first comprehensive transportation funding solution to reach a floor vote in years. Yesterday, House Democrats announced an amendment that would have maintained the Senate plan for statewide funding solutions and to cut the food tax, while not raising the gas tax. Senate Democrats endorsed the approach. House Republicans voted against over $5.5 billion plan for roads, mass transit, and maintenance over the next 7 years, even after Democrats announced provisions that lowered taxes on food and did not raise the gas tax.

Virginia's business community, including statewide and regional Chambers of Commerce, consistently call for action on critical infrastructure needs essential to a strong economy. The people of Virginia are clear in their call for relief from crippling traffic congestion in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. House Republicans have opposed every single transportation solution.

"This package was essential to building a strong business climate and getting Virginia moving again. I can't believe they opposed a plan that would have created 35,000 new jobs in Virginia in this struggling economy," said Brian Moran, Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. "People will continue to be stuck in traffic and families will travel on unsafe bridges because of this abdication of leadership."

The amendment offered today addressed the statewide maintenance deficit, regional congestion in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia, and reduced the sales tax on food by 20%. The amended transportation plan would generate approximately $5.5 billion over the next 7 years - nearly 80% of the plan's original revenue.

"The Republicans never offered a comprehensive plan of their own. They said 'no' to the Governor's plan. They said 'no' to compromise. Now, they've said 'no' to any solution at all. Virginia deserves real leadership not this Republican game playing. They continuously obstruct, oppose and delay," said House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong.

Demand for transportation is outstripping supply: 9% of Virginia's road miles have been built in the last 20 years. In the same time, Virginians are traveling 80% more, own 61% more cars and there are 36% more drivers.

"When I called the special session, I asked that the legislature work together to find a solution to our transportation funding challenges," said Governor Tim Kaine. "The House and Senate Democrats rose to the challenge and came together to move Virginia closer to a meaningful transportation solution. But House Republican leadership, once again, stood in the way, rejecting legislation that originated in the Senate. The citizens of Virginia deserved better."

"The House Republicans killed a plan that brought us one step closer to a transportation solution yet failed, for years, to come up with a comprehensive plan of their own," said Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw.

"For years they have failed to act and for years our traffic congestion has gotten worse," said Mary Margaret Whipple, Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus. 

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