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RICHMOND,
Monday 22 January 2007 – In today’s briefing
detailing legislative priorities for the House
Republican Caucus, Delegates David B. Albo
(R-Fairfax), and S. Chris Jones (R-Suffolk)
discussed the specific regional elements of the
Republican transportation plan.
In
the Republican transportation plan, HB 3202,
localities in Northern Virginia would receive the
authority to raise – and retain – various
revenues to solve the congestion problems in their
bustling region.
The
local governments of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun,
Prince William, Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church,
Manassas and Manassas Park are allowed to generate
$383 million worth of revenue under the Northern
Virginia Transportation Authority, established by
the General Assembly in 2002.
The
Authority is comprised of 16 members – including
the mayor or chairman from the nine jurisdictions
forming the Authority, two members of the House of
Delegates, one Virginia State Senator and two
citizens appointed by the Governor. Localities
must adopt the revenue measures by ordinance by
July 1, 2008 in order to receive the benefit of
project construction. One hundred percent of
the revenue generated under this part of the plan
would remain in Northern Virginia.
Along
with the ability to raise the rental car
transportation impact fee, local commercial office
real estate adjustment, local congestion relief
fee and the new initial one-time driver’s
license fee, important accountability and
performance measures on contracting and project
selection are contained in the legislation. Also
included in the omnibus measure is the repeal of
$702 million in local taxing authority.
“The
commuters in Northern Virginia desperately need
relief from the gridlock on our roads,” declared
Delegate Albo. “By allowing our localities to
raise and retain the necessary revenues to address
our transportation problems, Republicans have
offered the best solution to meeting our most
urgent need.”
Like
Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads has specific
regional transportation needs addressed in the
Republican compromise plan. Under the
legislation, localities in Hampton Roads would be
allowed to establish a regional transportation
authority for the first time. Isle of Wight, James
City, York, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News,
Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach and
Williamsburg would have the ability to raise –
and retain – locally various revenues to build
major projects in the region.
The
new Hampton Roads Transportation Authority would
be composed of one member of each local
government, three members of the House of
Delegates and two members of the Virginia State
Senate.
If a majority of the localities adopt the enabled
sources by ordinance by September 1, 2007,
revenues generating $209 million annually would
come from a variety of sources. Additional
components include tolling provisions for new or
improved facilities, critical accountability
through annual public audit and project
performance measures relating to congestion
reduction, transit usage and other important
measures. The legislation also repeals $110
million in existing taxing authority for the
region.
“Long
identified critical projects for Hampton Roads
could finally become reality under this
compromise,” remarked Delegate Jones. “The
plan reflects our region’s unique challenges by
addressing transportation in a comprehensive way.
Citizens and businesses throughout Hampton Roads
will benefit greatly from the needed influx of
funding and reform contained in this
plan.”
Speaker
Howell and House Republicans initiated “Daily
Policy Briefings” during the 2005 Session as
part of their coordinated and pro-active strategy
to articulate and communicate sensible policy
solutions. The purpose of these briefings is to
provide an opportunity to learn more about the
ambitious, broad-based and forward-looking agenda
that House Republicans are championing in the 2007
Session.
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NOTE:
See two separate Fact Sheet handouts for
additional details about the Northern Virginia and
Hampton Roads regional plan.
Republican Transportation Plan
FACT
SHEET
Northern
Virginia
-
Regional
Authority Funding: Allows localities
the authority to generate certain revenues for
transportation of which 100% stays in the
region. From that portion of the overall plan,
the funding is dedicated to several different
areas. These new revenues will not negatively
impact the current and new statewide revenues
distributed to the Northern Virginia VDOT
District.
$400
Million - Estimated Total New Revenue Raised
and Kept in NoVA
$50
Million- METRO capital improvements with matching
Federal funding.
$30
Million- Virginia Railway Express (VRE) capital
improvements including parking, rail on the
Fredericksburg line, rolling stock, expanded
service in Prince William, and service affecting
BRAC decisions at Ft. Belvoir.
45%
of Remaining Revenue- Distributed to those
localities imposing the fees for the following
purposes:
50%- Local Urban and Secondary Road construction
and improvements in consultation with area General
Assembly members.
50%- Road or transit projects decided solely by
the localities.
$20
Million- Phase II of Dulles Rail
Remainder
- Transportation projects determined by the
Northern Virginia Transportation Authority in
consultation with local and General Assembly
officials
$2
Billion Statewide Capital Projects Bond Program
will support projects for highways including I-95,
485, 395, and 66.
$50.1
Million would flow to the NoVA VDOT District from
the $250 Million from GF dedicated to the TTF for
construction.
$18.4
Million average annually from new statewide
revenues after debt service for Bond Program.
$339
Million one-time infusion in the Highway
Maintenance and Operating Fund helps cover the
maintenance deficit and free money up for
construction.
#
# #
Republican
Transportation Plan
FACT
SHEET
Hampton
Roads
-
Regional
Authority Funding: Allows localities the
authority to generate certain revenues for
transportation of which 100% stays in the
region. From that portion of the overall plan,
the funding is dedicated to phase in the
completion of the six MPO projects included in
the 2030 Regional Transportation Plan. These
new revenues will not negatively impact the
current and new statewide revenues distributed
to the Hampton Roads VDOT District.
$209
Million- Total New Revenue Raised in Hampton Roads
$2
Billion Statewide Capital Projects Bond Program
will support projects for highways including I-64,
264, 664 and Route 460.
$53.3
Million would flow to the Hampton Roads VDOT
District from the $250 Million from new GF
dedicated to the TTF for construction.
$19.6
Million average annually from new statewide
revenues after debt service for Bond Program.
$339
Million one-time infusion in the Highway
Maintenance and Operating Fund helps cover the
maintenance deficit and free money up for
construction.
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