Government Affairs

General Assembly Update

July 10, 2008

GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADJOURNS WITHOUT SOLUTION FOR TRANSPORTATION FUNDING

The Virginia General Assembly adjourned this morning (1:30 a.m.) without passing any legislation to address transportation funding.

Despite strong support from the business community and local governments to find a solution for transportation funding, political wrangling was the theme of the day.

SB 6009, a comprehensive regional and statewide transportation funding bill that had passed the Senate two weeks ago, was amended in the House to remove the gas tax provisions. The House defeated the bill 39-59.

The House proposal HB 6055 which would have provided funding for Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads by taking tax revenues from the Port of Virginia and Dulles Airport (money that would have gone to the General Fund) and allowing localities to impose certain local taxes passed in the House 51-45, but then failed in the Senate.

None of the bills requiring another audit of VDOT passed.

The only bill of significance to pass both chambers was HB 6027 which allows the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) to enter into fixed-price contracts for the provision of materials, equipment, and supplies in connection with highway construction projects.