Special Session Begins

Please read the letter that Delegate Nichols submitted to the Potomac News that expresses his thoughts on this critical issue:  

The Special Legislative Session called by Governor Kaine to deal with the Commonwealth’s transportation problems begins on June 23.  There have been numerous proposals to fix transportation, the Governor has proposed a plan that increases several taxes; the House Republicans have proposed a plan that increases 15 taxes and fees; citizens have contacted me with numerous suggestions to take money from other state programs such as education,  to raise the fuel tax five cents.  I plan to look at all suggestions, but most of all listen to the constituents of the 51^st House District who spend 2-4 hours each day getting to and from work each day. 

It is clear that action must be taken by the General Assembly to provide a long term solution to our crisis, taking no action as some propose is not acceptable as our daily commute becomes worse each day, each week, each month, each year.  Numerous projects in Prince William County have been delayed or cancelled due to the lack of transportation funds:  the Rt 123/Rt 1 overpass; the widening of the Prince William County Parkway from Old Bridge to Hoadly, just to name a few.

Two years ago the General Assembly passed and the Governor signed legislation that created enhanced fines for traffic violations, the funds from these enhanced penalties would have gone into transportation projects, these penalties only applied to Virginia drivers, out of state drivers, who make up a significant portion of miles traveled in Virginia got a free ride, fortunately this legislation was reversed during the 2008 Session.  In the upcoming Special session we should look closely at capturing revenue from out of state drivers who use our roadways. 

Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads are the economic engines of Virginia, while traffic is not a concern in most of the rural areas of the state the financial benefit that those areas receive from northern Virginia and Hampton Roads is substantial making this a statewide issue that needs a statewide solution, rather than just increasing revenue regionally.

I hope to hear from many more of my constituents during the coming days as the General Assembly deals with a seemingly intractable problem.

Paul F. Nichols