Government Affairs

General Assembly Update

February 5, 2013

Statement of Governor Bob McDonnell on House of Delegates Passage of Transportation Funding and Reform Package

Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement this morning following a bipartisan vote by the full Virginia House of Delegates to pass the Governor’s transportation funding and reform legislation with only a few friendly amendments.

“This morning, with bipartisan support and only a few friendly amendments made, the Virginia House of Delegates advanced our ‘Virginia’s Road to the Future’ comprehensive transportation funding and reform package that will generate the largest infusion of funding for Virginia’s transportation system in more than 25 years. The plan will invest $3 billion over just the next five years to create a safe, efficient and reliable transportation system throughout the Commonwealth, while creating an estimated 20,000 jobs. Over the past few weeks, legislators on both sides of the aisle have heard directly from businesses, community groups, elected officials, chambers of commerce and organizations of all kinds offering their support for this plan. In public polls Virginians back this plan 2-1 over competing transportation proposals. Today’s vote advances our comprehensive plan one step closer to enactment. It is a major step forward towards finally putting in place the long-term transportation funding plan that Virginia has needed for far too long.

“Our citizens have told us loud and clear that now is the time to get something done on transportation. They deserve a modern, well-funded transportation system that will get them to work and home on time, without delay. The House has acted, and I thank the members for their support. I now urge the full Senate to pass a sustainable long-term transportation funding plan for Virginia. This is our chance to finally address this problem and give Virginians the transportation system they need and deserve. This could be a once-in-a-generation opportunity. It is time to act.”

The vote was 53-46.