Virginia House of Delegates Republican Caucus
Transportation
Statement of House Transportation Chairman Joe May on Governor Bob McDonnell’s transportation plan
Jan 16th
RICHMOND, VA - Delegate Joe May (R-Loudon), Chair of the House Transportation Committee, released the following statement Tuesday in support of Governor Bob McDonnell's transportation proposal:
"I am very pleased and excited that we are finally getting serious about tackling Virginia's transportation challenges. Governor McDonnell has laid out an innovative and bold proposal that addresses Virginia’s long-term transportation needs.
"There is a great deal of work to be done to finalize this proposal. I am confident that working with the Governor, the House of Delegates can pass a bill on transportation this year.
"I cannot stress enough, however, the importance of addressing transportation. Transportation is about jobs. A fundamentally strong transportation infrastructure is critical to continued growth and economic development.
"I want to commend Governor McDonnell, Speaker Howell, Delegate Hugo and Senator Newman for developing an innovative and serious proposal, and I look forward to working with all of them to develop a final package that will pass the House of Delegates."
Delegate May is the Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and represents parts of Clarke, Frederick and Loudon Counties.
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Delegates Purkey & Orrock announce support of Governor Bob McDonnell’s transportation plan
Jan 16th
RICHMOND, VA – House Finance Committee Chairman Delegate Bob Purkey (R-Virginia Beach) and Finance committee member Delegate Robert Orrock (R-Caroline) commented Wednesday on Governor Bob McDonnell’s transportation plan and urged members of the House of Delegates to work to address our long-term transportation funding needs.
“Governor Bob McDonnell has outlined a serious plan to finally address Virginia’s transportation funding challenges,” said Finance Committee Chairman Bob Purkey. “This is an innovative plan that will help Virginia build a 21st century transportation network. I look forward to working for its passage in the House of Delegates.”
Finance committee member Delegate Robert Orrock stressed the importance of addressing Virginia’s transportation needs and called the plan a great starting point that he looked forward to working on.
“Governor McDonnell, Speaker Howell, Delegate Hugo and Senator Newman have crafted a creative proposal that I think will serve as a great starting point for the legislature,” said Orrock. “There is a lot of work left to be done, but I am very confident that we can craft a solution that will pass the House of Delegates.”
The transportation plan proposed by Governor McDonnell will raise $3.1 billion over the next five years by replacing the gas tax with a comprehensive funding proposal. Increasing fuel-efficiency standards and alternative fuel vehicles are making the gas tax less reliable as a funding source, said Orrock.
“This plan will make Virginia the first state in the nation to eliminate its gas tax. Fuel efficiency standards and alternative fuel vehicles are making the gas tax less reliable as a funding source. By replacing the gas tax with a comprehensive funding proposal, we can stabilize our transportation funding and begin to re-invest in our infrastructure,” said Orrock.
Delegate Purkey asked members of the House to give the legislation its full support.
“This is a very ambitious plan and it could not be timelier. I ask all House members to give the legislation its full consideration and support. I look forward to working with Governor McDonnell and my colleagues on this proposal,” said Purkey.
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Where the airports authority went off track
Jul 8th
Check out Speaker Howell's . Be sure to spread the word about his call for accountability and sound fiscal stewardship on the "silver line."
House Republicans Highlight Success of Legislative Agenda at End of 2011 Session
Feb 27th
RICHMOND, VA – Highlighting the legislative achievements of the 60-member strong House Republican Majority Caucus in delivering real reforms and forward-looking investments to address the concerns of the Commonwealth, Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) today highlighted the positive results of the policy initiatives advanced by House Republicans this year. After cutting fees, reducing authorized debt, investing in core government services and depositing an additional $64 million into the Rainy Day Fund, the House of Delegates today adjourned sine die, bringing an end to the 2011 Regular Session of the Virginia General Assembly.
“The Republican-led House made real progress during the 2011 Regular Session and on many fronts, especially in passing a fiscally sound and structurally balanced state budget that funds core government services,” said Speaker Howell. “At our insistence, the final budget agreement includes no new fees or higher taxes. It has no earmarks for non-state agencies. There is no funding or debt for a new ‘Taj Mahal’ to replace the General Assembly Building. There is $67 million less in authorized debt. And, the accelerated sales tax is eliminated for 80% of retailers. Yet, there also are prudent investments in economic development, transportation, education, health care and other important services. Overall, we’ve had a very productive legislative session.”
Below is the outcome for a selected list of 100+ measures – grouped by topic – supported by the House Republican Majority. In all, about 1,600 pieces of legislation were approved by the General Assembly this year.
McDonnell releases $500M in Transportation Bonds Authorized by Speaker’s 07 Bill
Apr 30th
Speaker Howell led the way in passing bond authority in 2007 to enhance Virginia's transportation infrastructure. Today, Governor McDonnell authorized the sale of $500 million in bonds this May as the first part of a six-year, $2.2 billion program to support projects throughout the Commonwealth.
Check out details in the Governor's