I'll
Vote For That
Transportation Plan Runs
Out Of Gas: The General
Assembly is expected to produce
a transportation plan, but they're
struggling ... again. The proposed
funding streams could be better,
but when Richmond crafts your plan,
some compromise is expected. One
revenue stream that is off the
table in Richmond is a gas tax.
However, it's the one tax for funding
road improvements that makes the
most sense to me -- it's the easiest,
broadest, and most direct link
to driving that exists. A $5 hotel
tax is too much. Perhaps a dollar
or two would be acceptable, since
tourists need to fund part of this
solution. I’m not supportive
of commercial real estate taxes
funding roads because I think the
connection between property and
roads is shaky at best, and an
over reliance on property taxes
is bad policy. Sen. Wagner of Virginia
Beach offered to let mayors decided
which funding streams work best
for Hampton Roads, which would
be the perfect solution to moving
forward. I'll vote for that!
