Virginia

Transportation Funding Without Reform
Leaves Virginians Empty-Handed

March 10, 2006

Media coverage immediately following Governor Kaine’s election hailed the power of his campaign message that Virginia needs to link land use and transportation. His ability to capitalize on the need for reform was credited with swaying voters to cross party lines to vote him into office.

The General Assembly session now nearing completion in Richmond has failed to realize the promise to link transportation and growth plans made not only by Governor Kaine, but by legislative leaders in both parties. The Commonwealth is having to settle for a few incremental steps – legislation allowing limited Transfer of Development Rights that enable development to be placed in one area while protecting another, subject to the plans of the community; requirements for traffic impact studies; and requirements for estimating the cost of transportation projects in comprehensive plans.

The lack of progress has been frustrating. This week, the Virginia Senate had the opportunity to take a simple, clear action to help localities curb out-of-control growth and development. However, the Senate refused to consider amendments offered by Senator Emmett Hanger (R-Shenandoah Valley) that would have confirmed communities’ ability to deny a rezoning application if the roads are inadequate. The refusal came as a ruling by the President of the Senate, Lt. Governor Bolling, that Senator Hanger’s amendment was not germane to the bill under discussion. Therefore, the full Senate avoided a vote on the rezoning amendment.

Building-industry lobbyists have blocked this issue at every turn even though the language, first found in HB1610, gave communities and developers the flexibility to use design, phasing, local funding and developer proffers as a way to mitigate transportation impacts of rezoning proposals. While jurisdictions that have carefully structured their planning and zoning processes do take advantage of their ability to deny rezonings, other communities are unsure of their rights or are fearful of lawsuits. Legislation providing clarity on the issue would have been a gain for all Virginians.

The final debate in this session will be over transportation funding. Media reports portray a battle over who will win -- the Governor, the House or Senate, Republicans or Democrats? But the real question is, “When do Virginians win?”

• when their tax dollars are spent wisely;
• when better land use planning and growth management come first;
• when transportation funding targets real congestion problems instead of being used to open new land for speculation; and,
• when funding is tied to performance goals that reduce traffic, increase transportation options, and protect the quality of life of our communities.

Without better growth management -- and in the absence of real reform in VDOT planning and in the prioritization of transportation projects -- a huge increase in transportation spending is unlikely to make a real difference. We’ve outlined the fundamental flaws with current transportation funding proposals in our press release and analysis. We urge you to consider what we believe are the fundamental flaws in the current proposals.

The top issue until the governor and general assembly reach a budget agreement is whether to spend more money on transportation -- and whether to raise taxes to do so.

Find out about unneeded or poorly planned projects your money would buy.

There has never been a more important time to write to the Governor and your legislators to ask for real reform as a condition of new spending on transportation. If you want to see better growth management, more VDOT reform, and better spending priorities, then let them know now. See our Action Center for contact information.

VIRGINIA SENATE FINANCE LOOKING FOR TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES TO SAVE MONEY

On June 20, 2005 the Virginia Senate Finance Committee (Transportation Subcommittee chaired by Senator Hawkins) held its first ever hearing on the link between land use and transportation. Stewart Schwartz, CSG; Harrison Rue, Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission; Ron Kirby, Council of Governments; and Chairman Connolly, Fairfax County, all stressed the need for changes in land use and community design to reduce traffic and save infrastructure costs.

The Coalition for Smarter Growth presentation is available in pdf.