…While many details on the Commonwealth’s overall transportation solutions will not become evident until later in the summer at the special session, I do believe it is important for Virginia to provide adequate funding for important transportation priorities across the state.

One of these priorities, I believe, is the Port Republic Road expansion. I have written a letter (attached) to Secretary Pierce Homer at the Department of Transportation, urging VDOT to provide priority funding to this project, which will access the new Rockingham Memorial Hospital campus and will prove a great relief to the businesses and commuters who use the route frequently.

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In short, if we want roads and rail, we need to build and maintain roads and rail, and we have to pay for them…

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The state government needs to offset a $1 billion shortfall in funding for transportation projects.

Virginians would pay a higher sales tax when they buy a car and $10 more when they register a vehicle, if the plan gets through the General Assembly. State Republicans spoke out quickly following Kaine’s announcement [...]

“What I think has raised a lot of concerns is that the governor has taken this simply as an opportunity not just to replace that $600 million but to almost double that,” says Mark Obenshain (R – 26th District).

Obenshain says he wants to make sure projects in the Valley get the funding they need too.

“We know that we have some projects that are in dire need of making sure there’s funding adequate to complete them,” says Obenshain. “For example, Port Republic Road.”

[...]

“But if we do what the governor wants to do, and that’s embark on this bigger debate about the need for state-wide tax increases, you know we’re right back to the same spot we’ve been in for the past four or five or six years,” says Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R).

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These projects are carefully planned years ahead to give the hamsters in the HoD time to figure out how they will pay the bills. The majority party decided to play games with transportation funding and brought us to the current failure.

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Too bad you didn’t know how important the already started Port Road construction was before you torpedoed it with your “no taxes” fiscal-illiterate pandering. But never mind that – What are you going to do? And quit begging, the CTB wants money. You got hired to do a tough job, get up and be part of the solution, or go home. Please.

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…Right now I don’t know what all proposals will be brought forth.

As far as the Port Republic funding, yes the CTB announced last week it has cut funding for the project. I have been working with both the CTB and the Sec of Transportation on this issue. Obviously it is crucial for everyone in and around that area. In my last correspondence with Sec Homer, he said he realizes the significance of this project and will do his best to see that funds will be available in 2011 and 2012. As far as I understand it, those are the years when the state pays $22 million. Right now that has been cut to $5 million. We have pleaded our case to the CTB, who ultimately make those final decisions…

If this is correct, the funds for the road won’t come through until well after the new RMH has opened.

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