Government Affairs

General Assembly Update

February 1, 2013

Yesterday afternoon the Senate Finance Committee voted 10-5 (along party lines)to advance the Governor’s transportation funding bill (SB 1355). VTCA had lobbied for passage of the bill. The bill will now move on to the entire Senate for a vote.

The committee votes were:

For:  Stosch, Norment, Hanger, Watkins, Newman, Ruff, Wagner, McDougle, Vogel, Carrico

Against:  Colgan, Howell, Saslaw, Marsh, Lucas

Several Republican Senators (Hanger, McDougle and Vogel) expressed concerns about certain sections of the bill but voted in favor of it with the expectation that alternative amendments would be considered on the Senate floor. The Senate is likely to debate the bill on Tuesday, February 5th.