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I was first elected to office because of my work on a major road in Prince William County which saved over 100 homes from destruction, reduced the original construction time, cost millions less that the original project proposed by PW County and which voters eventually approved. My transportation laws removed large trucks out of the left lanes of Virginia interstates, allow localities to use proffers from developers in more creative ways to fix local traffic problems, and gave local government the authority to build inter-jurisdiction easy pass toll roads. I am also the chief House of Delegates sponsor of the Transportation Trust Fund Amendment to stop the diversion of transportation funds to other purposes, as was done by Democrat Governor Mark Warner when he shifted $317 million out of road trust funds to the general fund account. Democrat Governor Kaine wants to shift some $180 million from the Transportation Trust Fund to pay for non-road or non-mass transit uses. My Amendment passed the House of Delegates twice, but has failed on the Senate floor. Democrat candidate Mark Warner promised to not raise taxes, but did so as Governor after failing to convince voters in Tidewater and Northern Virginia in 2002 to raise their own taxes to pay for new roads in a referendum. After pushing a tax increase through the General Assembly, not a penny of the additional tax money was designated for road fixes or mass transit. The issue of transportation, while important to every community, is especially significant in populated areas such as Northern Virginia and Tidewater. While States are mostly involved in road building, and counties are mostly involved in zoning decisions which affect housing densities which impact traffic, there are ways the federal government can improve transportation for Virginians. In 2009, the federal highway trust fund will come up for reauthorization. Virginia for some years has received back less than we pay. Virginia's congressional delegation has to work with other states who pay more than they receive back to readjust the funding formula. I would support passing federal road taxes to the states so Virginia could directly receive the federal gas and other federal transportation taxes without waiting for Washington to pay us. The use of increased voluntary flex time for federal government workers would spread the rush hour over a greater number of hours, perhaps from 6:00 am to 11:00 am, with corresponding evening rush hours also spread out. In addition to cutting down the number of commuters traveling at any one time, this would also allow a greater number of hours to interact with those who live and work on the West Coast and in other time zones. The question of finishing I-95 through Washington DC to College Park Maryland needs to be investigated. In the 1990's Maryland Governor Glendening expressed to me an interest in such a project and undertook a preliminary look for a possible I-95 route, but he said Maryland did not pursue it because of the opposition of Washington DC to the project. Marion Barry was then mayor. Finishing I-95 through Washington DC would also provide an additional route out of DC in case of a national emergency. I recently wrote to Congressman Jim Oberstar (MN) who chairs the House of Representatives Transportation Committee. He and I both worked for Minnesota Congressman John Blatnik in the 1970's who also chaired the Transportation Committee. Congressman Oberstar also expressed an interest in this project. This would significantly reduce Capitol Beltway traffic in Virginia and Maryland. New federal offices should be located in suburban areas with major road or rail access, not congested areas of Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia. We should also investigate incentives that would encourage more business telecommuting. Internet technology now allows for the transport of “brains” without physical commuting. Federal agencies need to be more flexible to allow satellite offices and even work at home. Making better use of technology, encouraging more telecommuting centers and allowing work from home arrangements could also improve traffic conditions. I received many suggestions from citizens which became public law such as removing large tractor trailers out of the left lanes of Virginia Interstates. While the office of U.S. Senator is vested with authority, no one has a monopoly on good ideas and all citizens can help officials with ideas, insights and suggestions to improve our commuting. |
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