Loudoun Chamber Praises Transportation Bill

The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce over the weekend offered praises to members of the Virginia General Assembly who supported a package to fund transportation needs in the state. Attempts to infuse additional cash into the system have failed over the years, making the new bill the first serious infusion of transportation revenue for the state since 1987.

General Assembly members who represent Loudoun were divided in their votes. Only two Democrats representing Loudoun now supported the bill. Republicans were divided on the issue, but overall, the majority of Loudoun’s delegation voted for the bill.

Here’s how they voted:

In favor

• Sen. Mark Herring (D-33)
• Sen. Barbara Favola (D-31)
• Del. Tag Greason (R-32)
• Del. Jim LeMunyon (R-67)
• Del. Joe May (R-33)
• Del. Randy Minchew (R-10)
• Del. Tom Rust (R-86)

Opposed

• Sen. Dick Black (R-13)
• Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel (R-27)
• Del. Barbara Comstock (R-34)
• Del. David Ramadan (R-87)

The Loudoun Chamber’s statement:

The President of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce today applauded the hard work and courage of a majority of General Assembly members, whose commitment to the continued economic prosperity and strong quality of life in Virginia led to today’s vote to adopt an historic transportation funding bill that will make a significant difference in addressing the Commonwealth’s decades-long transportation funding crisis.

“Today, Virginia witnessed an act that is all too rare in our political environment: members of the Senate and House of Delegates from both parties set aside their difference and partisan interests to come together to forge a historic agreement to help solve Virginia’s long term transportation funding needs. With Governor Bob McDonnell’s expected signature, today’s transportation funding measure will make a positive difference in the lives of millions of Virginia’s citizens and businesses. Just as importantly, it proves that it is possible for America’s elected leaders – whether from different parties, different regions and different backgrounds - can pull together, work together and compromise to reach solutions that will preserve our country’s greatness,” said Loudoun County Chamber President Tony Howard.

“As business leaders in our community who contribute significant tax revenues to local, state and federal governments, Loudoun County Chamber members take very seriously the decision to raise taxes and fees to invest in the Commonwealth’s roads, railways and ports. But as business men and women, our Chamber members know that investment in infrastructure is the only way possible to increase revenues and to create the jobs, economic growth and new tax dollars that Virginia will need to remain competitive in the 21^st century economy,” Howard said.

“While the legislation adopted today is not perfect, it does represent a compromise that meets the main objectives that the Loudoun County Chamber can support: it relies on a variety of broad-based revenue sources to generate new, significant and sustainable funds to help fix Virginia’s congested highways, underdeveloped rail systems and inadequate multi-modal links to support of Virginia’s efforts to reach new international markets,” Howard added. “I salute the Senators and Delegates who supported this legislation and who found the courage to put ideology and partisan politics ahead of what was good for Virginia. History will reward their courage and conviction.”

“Additionally, I wish to personally thank Governor Bob McDonnell for the leadership he showed in making transportation funding the centerpiece issue of his final legislative session in office. The Governor could have taken the easy road by declaring that the politics of division were too hard to overcome, but instead he risked every ounce of his political capital on this effort, for the sake of Virginia’s economy, its quality of life and its future competitiveness. For that, every Virginia should be grateful,” Howard added.