Bacon's Rebellion

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Howell Unveils the House Legislative Package

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James A. Bacon
in

House Speaker William J. Howell has released the House leadership’s 10-point legislative package for the upcoming transportation session. There is some very good stuff in here, though it falls fall short of the systemic reforms that are needed. You can view the press release here.

In addition to this package, we can anticipate plans from Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads to hike regional taxes for regional road-building programs, as reported by the Washington Post and Virginian-Pilot. Additionally, I anticipate a proposal for a congestion-pricing pilot project in Northern Virginia.

I will offer a more detailed analysis later. Suffice it to say for now, the package represents a big step forward.

Update: J.R. Hoeft interviews Del. Phillip Hamilton, R-Newport News, about the House’s transportation package of legislation. Indispensable background for understanding the thinking of the House leadership.

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4 responses to “Howell Unveils the House Legislative Package”

  1. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    Some solid ideas. Towards the end it dissolves into a bit of legislative vs. executive turf fighting, which doesn’t really move the ball down the field. Legislative intervention has been part of the problem in the past, as all 140 members insist their pet projects and their districts get “our fair share.” That’s why we don’t have priorities based on congestion, long term economic plans, etc. Increasing legislative influence won’t reduce those problems — it could make them worse.

    Okay, so where’s the beef?

    I can write the 2012 news release now. “House Republicans Announce Additional VDOT Reforms”

  2. Larry Gross Avatar
    Larry Gross

    yes… there is much room for interpretation between the Press Release and what actually happens but I’d say.. it’s pretty ambitious in terms of change… potentially BIG Changes…

    here’s clue:

    SB 5021 Primary system highway construction funds.
    R. Creigh Deeds
    Primary system highway construction funds. Allows the Commonwealth Transportation Board to allocate primary system highway construction funds to highway construction projects maintained or to be maintained by municipalities, provided such construction projects involve components of the National Highway System and the funds are derived from allocations to the highway construction district in which the project is located.

    http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?062+sum+SB5021

    Note what this is saying (I think).. that money can be allocated to a locality..(vice VDOT)….

    Why? I’d guess that if a locality has money-in-hand (as opposed to a VDOT IOU which is not worth the paper it is written on).. then they could decide to move the project forward with an infusion of local funding.

    Where would they get than additional funding? Ahh.. stay tuned… I think I hear some back-of-envelope.. scribbling at the GA… Hint: – look at the discussion with respect to potential enabling legislation for Regional Transportation Authorities….

    I think.. right now… the GA is heavy into changes.. and that by the time the session itself convenes… that some stuff will be already decided.. and just need a formal approval…

    These could be massive… paradigm shift changes… enacted… so much that I don’t think all the possible implications will be understood… in the early going.

  3. James Atticus Bowden Avatar
    James Atticus Bowden

    Marty Williams’ regional transportation authority bill for Hampton Roads died in the GA. Watch it come back on Sep 27th.

    It provides for majority vote from 9 of 13 cities and counties (excluded my town – a sure NO vote) in late Nov after the elections. It is binding for perpetuity. It provides for unaccountable, unelected government to increase the sales tax.

    This what the voters rejected in 98 and 02 (and by extension as part of Jerry Kilgore’s loss), but the voters be damned.

    It will provide billions for local politicians to hand out in contracts, renting offices, building Taj Mahals, hiring consultants, etc. etc. It stinks for the potential for corruption.

    You need to let your legislators – especially the Republican majority – know to kill this bill.

  4. Larry Gross Avatar
    Larry Gross

    I’m flabbergasted. Is VDOT elected and accountable?

    Isn’t that what voters turned down? Didn’t they say.. no money to Richmond VDOT?

    Then a practical question – How would NoVa or Tidewater jurisdictions collobarate on transportation facilities that cross jurisdictional lines?

    Or is the argument that only local-elected officials should be collaborating?

    Don’t most boards/commissions.. operate at the pleasure of elected-officials and almost everything they do is in the form of “recommendations” that have to be voted by elected officials before it can go forward?

    If this is the issue.. why cannot Regional Authority legislation be written that meets these requirements?

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