Tom Warne Report, 15 December 2012
Gov. Robert F. McDonnell’s declaration in Tysons Corner last week that this was the year a transportation funding bill would get passed does not seem to be persuading skeptical legislative delegation in Fairfax County, who sound much more pessimistic about passing a bill in 2013.
“We need a real transportation solution that provides significant increases to state funding for transportation,” Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Sharon Bulova told a group of legislators who represent portions of the county.
“I honestly don’t expect a transportation bill to pass this session,” said Del. Vivian Watts (D-Dist. 36) who still plans to propose a transportation package for the third consecutive year. The same issue has deadlocked lawmakers year after year: Democrats favor new, dedicated sources of revenue like tax and fee increases, while Republicans insist that at least part of the money come from the general fund.
Senate Majority Leader Richard Saslaw (D-Dist. 35) said a bill that pulls from the general fund will never survive in the Senate because that money is dedicated to needs such as education. “We can’t fund public schools, we can’t fund higher education,” he said. “We cannot afford to take any more money out of the general fund … unless we are willing to raise the sales tax.” The General Assembly convenes for its 30-day session Jan. 9.