Hamilton: Democrats are to blame

This commentary on the no-progress session arrived a short while ago from Del. Phil Hamilton, R-Newport News, and House Speaker Bill Howell of Stafford:

After the House Republicans fulfilled its long-standing promise to address regional transportation funding needs of Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia -- brought about by the Virginia Supreme Court’s February decision rendering the regional authorities without transportation funding -- the Senate Finance Committee, dominated by Democrats, defeated HB 6055 introduced by Delegate Phillip Hamilton (R-Newport News).

Under Hamilton’s proposal as amended, Hampton Roads would have received up to $300 million per year in transportation funding produced by 30% of the increased economic growth at the public and private ports in Hampton Roads.  Northern Virginia would have received up to $600 million per year from 30% of the increased economic growth at the Dulles and Reagan National airports. Neither region would have been affected by increased taxes or fees being imposed only on their citizens.

The Senate Transportation Committee also defeated Hamilton’s proposal (HB 6019) to have VDOT impose tolls on certain Hampton Roads bridges, tunnels, and HOV lanes to generate regional funds for transportation or issue a Request for Proposals on the identified MPO-approved transportation facilities to expand lane capacity, address maintenance needs, and operate these facilities as toll facilities.

The failure of Senate Democrats to even allow a full discussion, debate, and vote on the Senate floor on either of the two regional proposals was a startling reversal from the petty, partisan rhetoric they used against House Republicans when they believed Senator Saslaw’s legislation (SB 6009) was not going to get a fair hearing in the House.  Not only did House Republicans give the Saslaw bill a full hearing and vote on the House floor, it was Democratic leader Delegate Ward Armstrong that introduced 18 amendments gutting the gas tax increase portion of the Senate bill.  That amendment was approved on an overwhelming, bi-partisan 95-1 vote.  Later, the bill was defeated 59-39 with chairman of the Black Legislative Caucus, Delegate Dwight Jones, and five other democrats voting against the bill.

In addition, the House Rules Committee reversed an earlier decision and sent Governor Kaine’s transportation proposal (HB 6026) to the House floor.  When House Democrats refused to advance the Governor’s bill to a vote, the content of his proposal was offered as an amendment to the Saslaw bill and defeated 98-0 with all Democrats rejecting Governor Kaine’s transportation plan.

According to Hamilton, “The events of July 9 clearly demonstrated to the people of Virginia that this special session was never about transportation.  Even within the Governor’s own party there were deep philosophical divisions over what taxes to increase.  Unlike past special sessions, there was no consensus for a solution prior to convening a special session.  There was, however, one consistent message – do not provide additional state revenue to Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads to address their unique transportation needs unless there are significant statewide and regional tax increases.”

Comments

[Boo Hamilton]

Hamilton's bill was mercifully killed. Don't blame the Dems. In this case it was clearly the ultra right wing, no new taxes crowd. Senator Saslaw’s legislation (SB 6009) was a much better bill. They even stripped the gas tax from it, but no matter. Partisan politics prevail, and so does the Bubba mentality.