Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites Davis (R-34) opened the Committee for Dulles’ annual General Assembly luncheon Thursday, March 15, at the Hyatt in Dulles, with an anecdote about traffic.
The Fairfax County representative told a story about a business employer who flew potential employees in to Washington Dulles International Airport at 10 a.m. and makes sure to fly them out of the area by 2 p.m., so they don’t have a chance to see the traffic along Route 7 and the Dulles Toll Road.
"There are businesses moving out of Virginia because of the traffic," she said. "We have to do something about it now."
The General Assembly passed a $2.5 billion transportation bill last month that would take money from the state’s general fund, with some funding coming from an increase in the car registration fee, a heavy truck fee and an abusive driver fee, to alleviate the traffic problem on Northern Virginia’s major roads. The legislation allows for about $400 million in dedicated Northern Virginia dollars, if Alexandria, Fairfax County, Prince William County, Loudoun County and Arlington County agree to a package of local tax increases. Members of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors have said they are unlikely to support the proposal that sits on the desk of Gov. Tim Kaine (D), which would require them to raise taxes.
"The option is nothing and we can’t afford it," Devolites Davis said.
DEL. DAVID POISSON (D-32) travels Loudoun County roads on a daily basis. The Sterling resident, who voted for the bill, addressed the business community Thursday afternoon.
While he admits the bill is not perfect, he said he voted for it to get the ball moving on the transportation problem in the area.
"I do think it’s a starting point," Poisson said. "I don’t think it’s an end point."
Sen. Mark Herring (D-33) disagreed with Poisson.
"I think this bill is fatally flawed," he said.
Herring said the transportation bill is fiscally irresponsible because it relies on a $2.5 billion debt with no revenue set aside to repay it. He also called the bill "unworkable" because the bill relies on local officials to raise taxes.
"Their reaction is one of resentment," the former Loudoun County supervisor said. "How can we expect them to impose all the [transportation] taxes when the General Assembly isn’t willing to impose any?"
THE COMMITTEE for Dulles, organization made up of businesses and community leaders dedicated to achieving the full potential of Washington Dulles International Airport and the economic growth of the region, has expressed its support for the bill.
"Northern Virginia businesses and residents demand immediate and decisive action in dealing with Northern Virginia transportation issues," the Committee stated in a press release. "The Virginia General Assembly must, in the 2007 session, find a workable comprehensive plan for transportation facility financing that is based on sustainable, long-term transportation funding sources."
Poisson said Kaine throughout his election created an illusion that he would be able to deal with the transportation problem in one cycle, and then move on to other issues, but that is not likely the reality.
"I am willing to talk about it until it is fixed," Poisson said.