“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.

Budget & Taxes

HB 1500 (Putney — Bedford)                       Passed House 97-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

• Includes no new taxes and eliminates $5.7 million in fee increases adopted last year

• Eliminates $66.8 million in previously authorized debt

• Deposits an $64 million into the Rainy Day Fund, on top of that authorized in the Governor’s introduced budget, bringing the total deposit to $114 million

• Eliminates in large part the accelerated sales tax that weighed on retailers across the Commonwealth

HB 1820 (Ware, R.L. — Powhatan)              Passed House 99-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Imposes a $100 million cap on land preservation tax credits per year and provides for the review of certain real property appraisals performed for the purpose of receiving a land preservation tax credit.

HB 1437 (Cole — Spotsylvania)                    Passed House 94-5                 Passed Senate 38-2

Gives localities some flexibility in determining the basis for calculating business, professional and occupation license taxes within their jurisdiction.

HJ 852 (Cline — Rockbridge)                        Passed House 68-26               Killed by Senate Committee

Encourages the United States Congress to adopt legislation requiring a balanced federal budget and to call a convention to amend the U.S. Constitution to require a balanced federal budget.

Jobs, Energy & Economic Development Opportunities

HB 1500 (Putney — Bedford)                       Passed House 97-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

• Includes over $40 million in various job-creating economic development efforts
• Eliminates the vast majority of the accelerated sales tax that hit retailers throughout the Commonwealth
• Includes no new fees or tax increases
• Invests $32.7 million to capitalize the new Transportation Infrastructure Bank for use by private and public entities in financing necessary transportation priorities

HB 1447 (Cline — Rockbridge)                     Passed House 76-23               Passed Senate 40-0

Grants individual and business income tax credits of 15-20% for expenses related to qualified high-tech research and development in Virginia.

HB 2197 (Comstock — Fairfax)                    Passed House 89-10               Passed Senate 40-0

Grants employers a tax credit for expenses incurred in developing and implementing telework arrangements for employees.

HJ 500 (Bell, R.P. — Staunton)                     Passed House 61-36               Killed by Senate Committee

Incorporates Virginia’s “Right to Work” statutue into the State Consitution.

HB 2052 (Hugo — Fairfax)                           Passed House 63-32               Killed by Senate Committee

Requires the use of secret ballots in any procedure authorizing or selecting a labor organization to represent workers.

HB 2221 (Oder  — Newport News)              Passed House 85-14               Passed Senate 40-0

Creates an exemptipon from the aircraft sales and use tax for businesses headquartered in Virginia that make a minimum of $4 million capital investment in Virginia, create at least 50 new jobs and enter into a memorandum of agreement with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.

HB 1982 (Kilgore — Scott)                           Passed House 99-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Reduces the eligibility criteria for making use of the Governor’s Development Opportunity Fund from $10 million in private investment and 100 new jobs created to $5 million and 50 new jobs.

Education

HB 2510 (Cox, M.K. — Colonial Heights)    Passed House 98-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

• Sets a goal of creating 100,000 additional undergraduate degrees in Virginia over next 15 years
• Emphasizes the importance of highly competitive “STEM” degree programs, which include science, technology, engineering and math
• Increases access and affordability for more in-state residents wanting to attend Virginia’s institutions of higher learning
• Improves institutional efficiency by encouraging colleges and universities to analyze the use of state-owned buildings, find opportunities to use buildings year-round and explore technological alternatives for summer and on-line classes

HB 1416 (Loupassi — Richmond City)         Passed House 48-46               Killed by Senate Committee

Requires local school boards to report the percentage of their budget spent on instructional spending, and, if the percentage is less than 65 percent, to develop a plan to increase instructional spending

HB 2314 (Massie — Henrico)                        Passed House 54-45               Killed by Senate Committee

Enables Virginia corporations that have given cash donations to non-profit groups offering tuition assistance for non-public schools to receive a corporate income tax credit equal to 70% of their charitable contribution.

HB 1554 (Wilt — Rockingham)                     Passed House 99-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Delays implementation of certain accreditation requirements to allow school systems to effectively allocate limited financial resources.

HB 1793 (Tata — Virginia Beach)                 Passed House 99-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Allows local school boards to award diploma seals for Board of Education approved diplomas.

HB 1792 (Tata — Virginia Beach)                 Passed House 95-3                 Passed Senate 40-0

Codifies the flexibility given in the Standards of Quality for use of appropriations act funds for instructional staffing for mathematics, limited English proficiency, reading, technology and assistant principals.

Health Care

HB 1500 (Putney — Bedford)                       Passed House 97-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

• Sets aside an additional $30 million for the Behavioral Health Trust Fund to help intellectually and developmentally disabled Virginians
• Includes $14.3 million for additional staffing and accomodations for the Sexually Violent Predator Program at the Virginia Center for Behavioral Rehabilitation
• Restores a total of $12.5 million in CSA funding for Children’s Mental Health Services

HB 2467 (Greason — Loudoun)                    Passed House 74-24               Passed Senate 27-11

Ensures that health insurance plans in the Commonwealth cover autism spectrum disorders for children ages 2 through 6 up to a yearly cap of $35,000.

HB 1428 (Bell, R.P. — Staunton)                  Passed House 66-33               Killed by Senate Committee

Requires that abortion clinics be regulated in the same fashion as hospitals, ambulatory clinics and dentists offices, including biennial inspections and provision of certain emergency life-saving equipment.

HB 1419 (Byron — Campbell)                       Passed House 61-33               Killed by Senate Committee

Eliminates mandatory, opt-out HPV vaccines given to schoolgirls starting in the sixth grade, and replaces the mandate with an opt-in vaccination program.

HB 2147 (Cline — Rockbridge)                     Passed House 60-36               Killed by Senate Committee

Requires that health insurance plans that will be available through Virginia’s health benefits exchange shall not cover abortions.

HB 1675 (Pogge — James City County)       Passed House 94-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Provides procedures and standards for agencies or governmental entities applying for variances or exemptions to regulations governing emergency medical services.

HB 1960 (Rust — Fairfax)                             Passed House 94-5                 Passed Senate 40-0

Clarifies that institutions of higher education must be formed, headquartered and have their principal place of business in Virginia in order to be eligible for the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Program.

HB 1968 (Robinson — Chesterfield)             Passed House 95-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Provides that whenever a certification, signature or other attestation is required by a physician, it will also be deemed to include such attestation by a physician assistant.

Law Enforcement & Public Safety

HB 1500 (Putney — Bedford)                       Passed House 97-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

• Includes $400,000 in additional funding for the Line of Duty program, bringing total FY 2012 funding up to $3.4 million
• Includes an additional $8.3 million for sheriffs in FY 2011 and $14.3 million in FY 2012
• Funds 27 new judges in jurisdications with heavy caseloads

HB 1995 (Janis — Henrico)                           Passed House 98-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Protects victims of child pornography by providing civil restitution as an additional punishment and deterrent to producers of child pornography.

HB 1434 (Garrett — Lynchburg)                   Passed House 98-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Adds synthetic marijuana, otherwise known as “spice,” to the list of substances that are illegal to possess, buy or sell in Virginia.

HB 1403 (Loupassi — Richmond City)         Passed House 98-0                 Killed in Senate Committee

Protects citizens and law enforcement officers by allowing seizure and sale of vehicles involved in eluding police officers or that otherwise are used to endanger law enforcement officers, with proceeds flowing to the Literary Fund.

HB 1407 (Janis — Henrico)                           Passed House 99-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Increases penalties for underage drinking and driving, keeping all Virginians safer on our roads.

HB 1590 (Iaquinto — Virginia Beach)          Passed House 99-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Expands the jurisdiction of Virginia’s General District Courts by raising the maximum claim limit from $15,000 to $25,000.

HB 1573 (Cleaveland — Botetourt)              Passed House 75-23               Killed by Senate Committee

Codifies the common law “castle doctrine” by allowing the use of deadly force in defense of self or others when an individual is threatened with seriously bodily injury intheir own home.

HB 1589 (Iaquinto — Virginia Beach)          Passed House 75-23               Killed by Senate Committee

Requires installation of an ignition interlock after a single DUI conviction.

HB 1651 (Cosgrove — Chesapeake)              Passed House 99-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Requires the DMV to cancel licenses and other identification cards issued to indivudals who are later discovered to be illegally present in Virginia.

HB 1777 (Gilbert — Shenandoah)                 Passed House 98-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Provides that those who create or sell fake birth certificates are guilty of a Class 6 Felony.

HB 1859 (Anderson — Prince William)         Passed House 81-8                 Passed Senate 40-0

Requires state agencies entering into contracts to require E-Verify use by contractors on projects over $50,000.

HB 1421 (Albo — Fairfax)                            Passed House 73-26               Killed by Senate Committee

Prevents agencies, political subdivisions and localities from limiting enforcement of federal immigration laws or establishing “sanctuary cities.”

HB 1465 (Peace — Hanover)                         Passed House 75-24               Killed by Senate Committee

Requires all public post-secondary institutions in the Commonwealth to develop and implement rules prohibiting the enrollment of illegal aliens.

HB 1468 (Albo — Fairfax)                            Passed House 83-16               Killed by Senate Committee

Requires that all local departments of social services verify the legal presernce of an individual applying for public assistance benefits.

HB 1934 (Miller, J.H. — Manassas)               Passed House 78-20               Killed by Senate Committee

Directs Virginia’s State Police to enter into a memorandum of agreement with federal immigration enforcement officers thereby allowing Virginia’s State Police to perform immigration enforcement duties within the Commonwealth.

HB 2333 (Lingamfelter — Prince William)    Passed House 81-18               Killed by Senate Committee

Establishes E-Verify users and in-state businesses a preference for purposes of breaking a tie bid during the public procurement process.

HB 1757 (Wilt — Rockingham)                     Passed House 99-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Heightens protections afforded victims of domestic violation by expanding Address Confidentiality Program.

HB 2225 (Wright — Lunenberg)                   Passed House 98-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Requires the Department of Corrections to establish individual inmate trust accounts including sources of inmate income up to $1,000 payable upon parole or discharge.

HB 2063 (Bell, R.B. — Albemarle)               Passed House 99-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Expands the scope of protective orders available to citizens of the Commonwealth to address the issues of dating violence and stalking.

HB 1449 (Crockett-Stark — Wythe)             Passed House 99-0                 Killed by Senate Committee

Updates the evolving list of substances, used to manufacture methamphetamines, whose possession coupled with intent to manufacture are punishable as a Class 6 Felony.

Government Reform & Savings

HB 2076 (Landes — Augusta)                       Passed House 96-2                 Passed Senate 40-0

Establishes the Office of the Inspector General, which will investigate allegations of fraud, waste, abuse and corruption by state and non-state agencies and officers.

HB 2435 (Habeeb — Salem)                          Passed House 97-0                 Passed Senate 40-0 Requires the Virginia Department of Corrections to eliminate an outdated mandate requiring correctional facilities to make duplicate reports to the Department of Corrections and Compensation Board.

HB 2376 (Habeeb — Salem)                          Passed House 98-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Requires the Department of Social Services to eliminate an unnecessary mandat related to office space requirements.

HJ 542 (LeMunyon — Fairfax)                      Passed House 59-34               Killed by Senate Committee

Calls for an Article V Constitutional Convention to ratify the Repeal Amendment, a measure which would strengthen federalism by allowing a majority of states, acting in tandem, to repeal federal laws and regulations.

HJ 852 (Cline — Rockbridge)                        Passed House 68-26               Killed by Senate Committee

Encourages the United States Congress to adopt legislation requiring a balanced federal budget and to call a convention to amend the U.S. Constitution to require a balanced federal budget.

HB 1457 (Marshall, R.G. — Prince William) Passed House 95-3                 Passed Senate 40-0

Increases the civil penalties imposed for intentional violations of Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act.

HB 2095 (Jones — Suffolk)                           Passed House 85-14               Passed Senate 34-6

Provides for the loss of benefits provided through the Virginia Retirement (VRS) System for any individual convicted of a felony arising out of misconduct in any position covered by VRS retirement programs.

Transportation

HB 2527 (Howell, W.J. — Stafford)             Passed House 65-33               Passed Senate 32-7

• Creates the Transportation Infrastructure Bank, for use by public and private entities pursuing transportation projects across the Commonwealth
• Enhances VDOT’s popular revenue sharing program to incentivize localities to provide matching funds for transportation priorities
• Accelerates previously authorized debt to take advantage of low interest rates and a competitive bidding climate

HB 2051 (Carrico — Grayson)                       Passed House 94-4                 Passed Senate 40-0

Establishes procedures for enforcement and the issuance of citations for certain large vehicles violating size and weight limits on Virginia’s roadways.

HB 1993 (Janis — Henrico)                           Passed House 67-31               Killed by Senate Committee

Gives discretion to law enforcement officers to charge individuals running red lights with either the underlying infraction or reckless driving based on the surrounding circumstances.

HB 1432 (Greason — Loudoun)                    Passed House 90-8                 Passed Senate 26-14

Extends for one year access to High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes for clean fuel vehicles, regardless of the number of occupants

HB 1692 (Stolle — Virginia Beach)               Passed House 99-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Permits Virginia Beach to set variable speed limits on highways within its jurisdiction to account for various conditions that impact road safety.

HB 1558 (Scott, E.T. — Madison)                 Passed House 99-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Prohibits certain overweight farm and agricultural machinery from operating on the Interstate Highway System.

HB 2508 (Morgan — Gloucester)                  Passed House 99-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Adds wharfs, piers and docks to the list of landings controlled, for purposes of legal control or transfer, by the Commonwealth Transportation Board.

HB 1947 (Cox, J.A. — Hanover)                   Passed House 90-7                 Passed Senate 34-6

Removes certain requirements related to notice of intent to enter onto a landowner’s property.

Veterans & Military

HB 1862 (Cosgrove — Chesapeake)              Passed House 98-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Extends the licenses, certifications and other identification documents of spouses accompanying a member of the military abroad.

HB 1645 (O'Bannon — Henrico)                   Passed House 99-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Codifies the constitutional amendment adopted by voters providing a real property tax exemption for the primary residence of veterans who have a 100 percent, service-related disability.

HB 1861 (Anderson — Prince William)         Passed Houe 97-0                   Passed Senate 40-0

Waives the one-year residency requirement for veterans attending institutions of higher learning in Virginia, allowing veterans to immediately qualify for in-state tuition.

HB 1761 (Cox, M.K. — Colonial Heights)    Passed House 99-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Provides supplemental coverage for members of the armed services through Virginia’s cafeteria plan for retirees and dependents eligible for TRICARE supplemental benefits.

HB 1557 (Cox, M.K. — Colonial Heights)    Passed House 98-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Requires the Department of Veterans Services maintain a certain ratio of staff to veterans in the Commonwealth.

HB 1774 (Sherwood — Frederick)                Passed House 98-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Authorizes the Governor to allocate funds for the Virginia National Guard and State Defense Force for purposes of preparedness in the absence of an official state of emergency.

HB 1535 (Merricks — Pittsylvania)               Passed House 94-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Provides that the Boards of Medicine and Nursing may accept relevant medical experience towards certain civilian, medical certifications.

HB 1848 (Stolle — Virginia Beach)               Passed House 98-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Provides that an established Virginia domicile, and attendant in-state tuition, of an active duty military spouse is not affected by the maintenance of a second residence, due to military service, outside the jurisdiction.

HB 1697 (Athey — Warren)                          Passed House 99-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Exempts all Department of Veterans Services facilities from requirements related to certificates of public need.

Federalism

HB 1438 (Cole — Spotsylvania)                    Passed House 65-33               Killed by Senate Committee

Asserts Virginia's authority under the 10th amendment to be free from federal regulation of goods manufactured in, sold in, and consumed in Virginia

HJ 542 (LeMunyon — Fairfax)                      Passed House 59-34               Killed by Senate Committee

Calls for an Article V Constitutional Convention to ratify the Repeal Amendment, a measure which would strengthen federalism by allowing a majority of states, acting in tandem, to repeal federal laws and regulations.

HJ 577 (O’Bannon — Henrico)                      Passed House 63-33               Killed by Senate Committee

Urges the U.S. Congress to limit the FCC’s authority over regulation of the Internet.

HJ 578 (O’Bannon — Henrico)                      Passed House 63-33               Killed by Senate Committee

Urges the U.S. Congress to recognize the separation of powers enshrined in the U.S. Constutiton and encourages Congress to refrain from expanding the rulemaking authority of the FTC.

HB 1397 (Marshall, R.G. — Prince William) Passed House 68-30               Killed by Senate Committee

Exempts qualified residential and manufactured buildings in Virginiafrom requirements stemming from federal energy efficiency standards, provided that such buildings meet certain standards articulated in the Statewide Uniform Building Code.

Other Improvements to Virginia’s Quality of Life

HB 1621 (Knight — Virginia Beach)             Passed House 97-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Expands the defintion of open-space land to include agricultural and forestal production areas.

HB 1954 (Villanueva — Virginia Beach)       Passed House 98-0                 Killed by Senate Committee

Clarifies that educational, artistic and theatrical exemptions to obscenity laws do not extend to child pornography and other offenses involving children.

HB 2372 (Edmunds — Halifax)                    Passed House 97-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Allows certain state vehicles performing environmental functions to be equipped with flashing amber warning lights.

HB 2425 (Ingram — Hopewell)                     Passed House 99-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Gives property owners notice and the opportunity to pay a tenant’s unpaid water or sewer fees before shut off.

HB 1712 (Wright — Lunenberg)                   Passed House 98-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Clarifies that those fishing in interjurisdictional inland waters are subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which he is fishing.

HB 1928 (Marshall, D.W. — Danville)          Passed House 95-4                 Passed Senate 39-0

Amends the process for independent external review of health carrier’s adverse decisions regarding the scope of health benefits offered to an individual.

HB 1929 (Marshall, D.W.  — Danville)         Passed House 99-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Provides that during the public procurement process, if an out of state entity is the lowest responsive bidder, and a resident of a state that permits in state price matching preferences, Virginia will allow in state businesses a second chance to match or beat the out of state bid.

HB 1440 (Marshall, R.G. — Prince William) Passed House 62-36               Killed by Senate Committee

Recognizes that unborn children, from conception onward, enjoy the rights and privileges of any other citizen in the Commonwealth.

HB 2024 (May — Loudoun)                          Passed House 99-0                 Passed Senate 39-0

Requires applications to the State Corporation Commission for large electrical transmission lines must include a description of efforts to minimize environmental, historic and other adverse effects.

HB 1718 (Merricks — Pittsylvania)               Passed House 99-0                 Killed by Senate Committee

Updates sections of the Uniform Commercial Code addressing negotiable instruments, bank deposits and collections to reflect new case law and technological advances.

HB 2519 (Morefield — Tazewell)                  Passed House 96-3                 Passed Senate 40-0

Clarifies that when an agency has an opportunity to comment on a Virginia Water Protection Permit and fails to do so within 45 days, the permit will be deemed approved without further possibility of comment.

HB 2251 (Nutter — Montgomery)                 Passed House 95-2                 Passed Senate 40-0

Provides that when electronic pollbooks fail and no other options are available, elections officers shall maintain a written list of those voting and provide provisional ballots.

HB 1608 (Orrock — Caroline)                       Passed House 94-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Establishes the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Fund and designates the Department of Social Services as the state agency responsible for state efforts relating to public agencies and charitable groups assisting low-income families.

HB 2471 (Poindexter — Franklin)                 Passed House 98-0                 Passed Senate 40-0

Updates the Coal Mine Safety Act, bringing it in line with federal and industry standards.

HB 1874 (Purkey — Virginia Beach)             Passed House 99-0                 Passed Senate 38-0

Brings Virginia’s tax code into greater conformity with federal tax code.

NOTE:  The above list of over 100 bills and resolutions is not intended to be a complete record of all legislation sponsored and passed by the 60-member strong House Republican Majority in the 2011Regular Session.  The short summaries above are provided only for convenience and are not meant to be a complete description of the highlighted legislation.  For more details about a bill or resolution, contact the delegate who patroned the measure or click on the number, which links to the General Assembly’s Legislative Information Service (LIS).  LIS provides the entire legislative history and actual text of all bills and resolutions, amendments and conference reports, as passed by both the Virginia House of Delegates and the Senate of Virginia.

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Check out details in the Governor's press release.

“As Virginians struggle in today’s economy, state government must address their needs without burdening them with additional job-killing taxes and burdensome requirements,” said Speaker Howell.  “Since the House of Delegate’s defeated Governor Kaine’s $1 billion per year statewide income tax plan by a unanimous and bipartisan vote of 97-0 at the beginning of this Session, House Republicans have aggressively pursued fiscally responsible legislation to create jobs and opportunities for Virginians, reform government to deliver services more efficiently and transparently and address other challenges.  I’m delighted that our strong Majority Caucus has produced real results with the support of Democrats and Independents which has enabled us to achieve House passage of scores of positive reforms.”

“Offering practical solutions to Virginia’s challenges is a hallmark of House Republican leadership in the General Assembly,” said Chairman Nixon.  “With our citizens and Commonwealth confronting the most difficult economic environment in decades, it is essential to build and expand upon our many accomplishments.  The overwhelming bipartisan support for many items on our agenda underscores the ability of Republicans to govern effectively and respond appropriately to the concerns of Virginians.”

Full Press Release, Including List of Bills

Virginia GOP lawmakers call for inquiry of HRBT jam

RICHMOND

Several Republican legislators are calling for an independent study of the July 2 flooding of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, which crippled traffic throughout the region.

Del. Phillip Hamilton of Newport News said Tuesday that he isn't confident an investigation by state transportation officials is enough to fully examine the incident.

So, along with fellow Newport News Republican Del. Glenn Oder, Hamilton is calling for an inquiry by a legislative panel that focuses on transportation issues.

"This is something that should be done," said Hamilton, who has been a vocal critic of the Virginia Department of Transportation.

That request has the backing of several GOP legislators, including House of Delegates Speaker William Howell, and perhaps most importantly, Del. Joe May, a Northern Virginia Republican who chairs the Joint Commission on Transportation Accountability.

May said he plans to ask Transportation Secretary Pierce Homer to appear before the commission at its Aug. 18 meeting.

"This is one of those topics that is of sufficient importance that it shouldn't go unexamined," May said, adding that he worries that "if we had a major hurricane, we could find people afloat."

Depending on what legislators are told at that session, May said he might ask the state's Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission staff to launch its own inquiry into conditions at the 52-year-old structure.

Homer declined to comment Tuesday.

Last week, state transportation officials said a water main break caused millions of gallons of water to leak underneath the tunnel roadway for several hours before it finally spilled onto the road and was detected.

During a public meeting Friday in Chesapeake, VDOT representatives said initial repairs had been made. They also pledged to finish a detailed public investigation in the coming weeks.

Despite that commitment, some legislators think HRBT is such a critical thoroughfare it needs outside inspection.

"Given the impact it had on the community, a second set of eyes looking at this is a good idea," said state Sen. Frank Wagner, R-Virginia Beach. "Let's go through the tunnel, figure out what's wrong with it, figure out what it costs to repair it and then figure out how we're going to do that."

Homer has said that the problem is not a shortage of money for tunnel maintenance.

But any conversation about state transportation needs ultimately circles back to the inability of state lawmakers to agree on how to raise money to fix old roads, bridges and tunnels and build news ones. That impasse has festered in the General Assembly for much of this decade. It remains a sore subject between Democrats and Republicans.

"I'm not at all interested in placing blame. That's not where my head is. My head is to do something to make it better," said state Sen. Yvonne Miller, D-Norfolk.

Miller, the Hampton Roads member of the transportation accountability panel, declined to take a position on whether another inquiry is warranted but warned against taking action that distracts VDOT from its core mission.

Letter from Delegate Marshall to Representative Wolf
July 14, 2009

The Honorable Frank Wolf
U.S. House of Representatives
241 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Congressman Wolf:

I would like to request that you consider introducing an amendment to the Transportation Appropriations Bill to suspend the federal law for one year which prohibits Virginia and other states from contracting with private restaurants or gas stations to operate at state owned rest stops on Interstates.

You may be aware that many of Virginia's rest stops and welcome centers will close July 21, 2009, because of "budgetary restraints". I believe that the $8.6 million in needed funding to keep these rest stops open could have been found, but since that did not happen I am trying to find other ways keep Virginia rest stops open (or allow them to reopen as soon as possible).

Rest stops are an important part of Virginia's transportation infrastructure and their closing will likely affect Virginia’s tourism industry in a negative way. It will also mean the loss of jobs for many people who work at these rest stops. In these difficult economic times we cannot afford for this to happen.

The closing of the rest stops is also a problem from a safety perspective as they are one of a very few places that people can pull over to rest when drowsy. In fact Virginia rest stops are formally known as “Safety Rest Stops”.

There are a number of states (including Maryland and Pennsylvania) which were grandfathered when the Federal law prohibiting this sort of public/private partnership passed and still have rest stops with restaurants and gas stations attached. I believe these partnerships have worked well.

Thank you for your time and consideration of this request. If you have any questions or concerns please contact me at (703) 853-4213 or delbmarshall@house.virginia.gov.

Sincerely,

Delegate Bob Marshall

Download letter

From the Washington Post, June 21, 2009

Virginia Republicans Kept Their Promises on Transportation
In a commentary on this page last week, Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine attempted to tag Republicans in the House of Delegates with sole responsibility for every failing of Virginia's transportation system ["Virginia's Unbuilt Road to Progress," June 14]. In his view, credit for all progress on transportation belongs to his administration and the federal government under President Obama. Although the partisan hard-liners Mr. Kaine serves as Democratic National Committee chairman might concur with this distortion, an objective review of the facts tells a different story.

As a candidate for governor, Tim Kaine promised not to raise taxes, to enact major changes to land-use planning to help reduce congestion and to protect dollars dedicated for the Transportation Trust Fund. Mr. Kaine broke the first promise six days after taking office by unveiling a transportation plan funded by a massive tax increase. He kept the second largely because of the persistence of House Republicans. Frustratingly, he might have kept the third promise had he spent an ounce of political capital in garnering support among Democratic legislators, who have steadfastly refused to act.

Mr. Kaine professes his commitment to transportation, but Virginia was the very last state to apply for federal stimulus dollars ["Va. Is Last State to Request Stimulus Funds for Roads," Metro, June 17]. While Mr. Kaine repeatedly has turned transportation into a wedge issue for partisan advantage, many of the improvements made this decade can be traced directly to the leadership of House Republicans.

First, long-overdue changes linking transportation decisions to land-use planning were integral parts of House Republican transportation packages during the 2006 regular and special sessions and were enacted into law in 2007. These changes include transportation impact fees, urban development areas and greater local control of road projects and maintenance. While Mr. Kaine talked about similar changes in 2005, he never made them the centerpiece of his transportation packages and instead focused predominantly on a job-killing mix of tax increases.

Second, public-private partnerships for transportation -- which Mr. Kaine now heralds -- are possible because of the landmark Public-Private Transportation Act, sponsored by Republicans. Such partnerships have been an integral component of every House Republican transportation package this decade. More recently, our initiatives to expand tolling concessions such as market-based high-occupancy toll lanes have been blocked by Mr. Kaine and his Democratic allies. Their acknowledged reason for rejecting such reforms: They did not include broad-based tax increases.

Third, in 2005, it was House Republicans who introduced a $1 billion transportation funding package as part of the 2004-06 state budget, with $850 million of that proposal ending up in that year's final spending blueprint at our insistence. Also that year, House Republicans introduced and led the General Assembly to pass legislation dedicating an ongoing source of revenue to support rail improvements for the first time in Virginia history.
Fourth, in 2007, it was House Republicans who enacted a number of the transportation initiatives we had been promoting for years. As a result, next year Virginia will issue more than $550 million for transportation projects from the $3 billion in bonds the General Assembly authorized in 2007. The road, rail and transit improvements -- for which Mr. Kaine now takes full credit -- can be directly traced to these Republican initiatives.

Fifth, this year it was Republicans who stood alone in advancing new transportation funding. Our plan, allowing Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads to retain a portion of revenue from economic growth for regional transportation improvements, was summarily rejected by Democrats in the state Senate.

Finally, when Gov. Kaine called a special session in 2008 to consider his final transportation tax plan, not a single member of the Democrat-majority Senate would even introduce it. And when delegates were given an opportunity to vote for his plan, it failed to receive a single vote. Not one Democratic legislator voted for Gov. Kaine's last transportation tax plan, the sole reason for which he had called the special session.

This November Virginians will elect a new governor. We should all hope that their choice is not wedded to the one-note mantra of higher taxes but is instead open to comprehensive and innovative solutions, like the ones once promised -- but not delivered -- by his predecessor.

Highlights of the 2009 House Republican Transportation package include:
• Accelerates the issuing of $570 billion in funding authorized by the Comprehensive Transportation Funding and Reform Act of 2007;

• Increases future transportation funding for Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads by dedicating a portion of growth in existing revenue sources;
• Improves the Public Pri
vate Transportation Act of 1995, providing a streamlined process to expedite eligible projects, including the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel; and

• Constitutionally secures the Transportation Trust Fund.

Major provisions of the legislative package are included in House Bill 1579 that expands a similar plan approved by the House of Delegates during last year’s special session on transportation. Other key components of this year’s transportation package are House Bill 2066, House Bill 2079, and House Joint Resolution 620.

“In proposing this practical solution to the transportation challenges of Virginia’s most congested regions, House Republicans are again demonstrating their commitment to improving our transportation infrastructure,” said Speaker Howell. “Combined with the ability to issue $570 million in bonds authorized as part of the $3 billion package I patroned in 2007, this package positions Virginia to make significant progress in delivering a 21st century network of roads, rail and transit. This transportation infrastructure funding plan, in partnership with efforts on the federal level and through the private sector, will stimulate our economy, create jobs and enhance mobility across the Commonwealth.”

In 2007, the General Assembly passed and Governor Kaine signed Speaker Howell’s House Bill 3202, which dedicated new and existing revenue for statewide transportation needs, implemented overdue VDOT reforms, granted expanded tools for localities to combat sprawl and, for the first time, tied land use and transportation decisions. Part of that landmark legislation authorized the issuance of $3 billion in bonds to highway, rail and transit projects. With the successful resolution of legal challenges and the conclusion of prior debt obligations, the first issuance of $570 million is on schedule to be released during Fiscal Year 2010 which begins July 1, 2009. The infusion of these funds will jump-start transportation projects across Virginia, improving transportation and providing economic stimulus.

House Bill 1579, patroned by Delegate Oder, dedicates a portion of future revenue growth from economic activity in regions of the Commonwealth with major import and export activity to regional transportation projects. Specifically, the plan calls for:

• 30% of future growth from the corporate and individual income taxes and sales and use tax in Planning District 8 to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority to fund important regional road, rail and transit projects. The plan allows for the generation of up to $600 million annually in new funding for regional transportation initiatives.

• 30% of future growth from revenues generated by the economic engine of the ports in Hampton Roads for local and regional projects determined by the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Planning Organization. The plan allows for the generation of up to $300 million annually in new funding for regional transportation items.

• 30% of future growth from revenues generated by existing and future ports in Front Royal, Richmond and Ellison. The plan allows for the generation of up to $50 million annually for Staunton, Richmond, and Salem VDOT Districts, respectively, for transportation projects selected by the Commonwealth Transportation Board.

“Like businesses, Virginia needs to prudently reinvest in capital infrastructure projects to ensure long-term economic growth,” noted Delegate Oder, Vice-Chairman of the House Transportation Committee and patron of House Joint Resolution 620 to lock up the Transportation Trust Fund from raids for non-transportation purposes. “House Republicans are offering the only solution this session that utilizes this responsible approach to addressing our transportation challenges. As our economic engines in the Commonwealth expand and grow, as we anticipate with our ports and business activity, our most congested regions should be able to capture a portion of that future revenue to build the infrastructure necessary to sustain and maximize ongoing economic prosperity. And, Virginians should be confident that funds intended for transportation improvements are exclusively reserved for that purpose.”

“Our plan allows areas like mine in Northern Virginia to keep a piece of the money generated here to stay here to help solve our transportation problems,” remarked Delegate Albo, a member of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission. “Families in my district are stuck in traffic every day and business cannot move goods and services in a timely manner. This plan would directly address those issues by reducing congestion, increasing safety, and creating jobs. I am hopeful that all delegates and senators representing congested regions and beyond will vote for this common-sense transportation solution that allows us to reinvest in our infrastructure.”

Delegate Hamilton’s legislation, House Bill 2066, streamlines and improves the provisions of the Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995. The bill would result in an increased number of opportunities for public-private transportation projects in Virginia as well as hasten the process of bringing those projects to fruition. Delegate Hamilton’s bill and Delegate Oder’s House Bill 2079 include provisions to expedite improvements and expansion of two projects critical to Hampton Roads, the Downtown Tunnel/Midtown Tunnel/MLK Extension project and the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel.

“House Republicans understand the need for practical and viable solutions to address Virginia's transportation problems,” concluded Delegate Hamilton. “Utilizing future tax revenues generated from economic growth, improving efficiencies that encourage public-private partnerships, and protecting transportation funding for transportation-only uses are common sense initiatives that distinguish us from the failed tax and spend and inefficient policies of the past."

Official Release