Legislative Update: May 26, 2006
Well I said last week that I hoped to have some good news to report this week and low and behold I do. On Monday of this past week the Senate passed a modified version of the House budget that funds all elements of government and sets aside 567 million dollars for development of a transportation budget to be finished later this summer or early fall. The Senate provided the condition that a transportation budget be developed no later than November of this year with a dedicated source of revenue for statewide transportation funding or the 567 million dollars set aside would go back to the general fund.
This past Thursday the House set in motion the procedure for the Senate budget proposal to go to the budget conference committee. This committee will meet on Tuesday to begin negotiating the details of the final budget to be presented before both the Senate and the House. It is my hope that this process will take place quickly so that we will soon have a final budget.
While it is important that we are well on the way to adopting a final budget it is imperative that we also do the work of addressing our transportation problems. These problems are not just limiting to funding transportation construction but must also include reform of our transportation planning and construction process so we spend your money more efficiently and are held accountable for results.
The solution also must include not just construction of new roads but other forms of transportation such as rail and transit that move people and goods in a more efficient manner. There is a need to use rail and transit to relieve growing urban congestion and to satisfy growing rural transit needs.
We must also combat increasing transportation problems by giving localities more power to control growth and sprawl. As more families move to suburbs and exurbs their commutes increase, increasing the demands on roads as well as congestion. When localities have the ability to set controls on this they have the ability to keep development to a capacity that roads can handle.
On a different note, I have asked the House budget conferees to not agree to proposed cuts in dollars that go towards the Land Preservation Tax Credit program. The program is a highly successful public-private partnership that works to conserve farmland, natural areas, battlefields, and scenic open spaces throughout Virginia.
This program helps to preserve open spaces, supports family farms, and restores the Chesapeake Bay, and it also is a part of the solution to the traffic crisis that this state is facing. This tax credit is a free market tool against sprawl and for land conservation.
Back in the district I have found myself quite busy. While I started my week on the other side of the state for the House Majority Retreat, I returned Monday evening for a busy Tuesday. On Tuesday I joined with Senator Chichester for the Northern Neck Christian Men’s Group. I then rushed to give a legislative update to the Richmond County Democratic Party.
The next morning, Wednesday, I was up and at it again. I had a great time with the Kilmarnock Kiwanis Club at their Community Service Breakfast. After breakfast I went back to work and it has been work, work, work ever since. Although, today I am planning on attending the Strawberry Festival in Heathsville and the Rivah Fest in Kilmarnock, those two events should be great fun.
As always if I can ever be of assistance please do not hesitate to contact me at robwittman@verizon.net or 804-493-0508. I wish you all a happy and safe Memorial Day.
This past Thursday the House set in motion the procedure for the Senate budget proposal to go to the budget conference committee. This committee will meet on Tuesday to begin negotiating the details of the final budget to be presented before both the Senate and the House. It is my hope that this process will take place quickly so that we will soon have a final budget.
While it is important that we are well on the way to adopting a final budget it is imperative that we also do the work of addressing our transportation problems. These problems are not just limiting to funding transportation construction but must also include reform of our transportation planning and construction process so we spend your money more efficiently and are held accountable for results.
The solution also must include not just construction of new roads but other forms of transportation such as rail and transit that move people and goods in a more efficient manner. There is a need to use rail and transit to relieve growing urban congestion and to satisfy growing rural transit needs.
We must also combat increasing transportation problems by giving localities more power to control growth and sprawl. As more families move to suburbs and exurbs their commutes increase, increasing the demands on roads as well as congestion. When localities have the ability to set controls on this they have the ability to keep development to a capacity that roads can handle.
On a different note, I have asked the House budget conferees to not agree to proposed cuts in dollars that go towards the Land Preservation Tax Credit program. The program is a highly successful public-private partnership that works to conserve farmland, natural areas, battlefields, and scenic open spaces throughout Virginia.
This program helps to preserve open spaces, supports family farms, and restores the Chesapeake Bay, and it also is a part of the solution to the traffic crisis that this state is facing. This tax credit is a free market tool against sprawl and for land conservation.
Back in the district I have found myself quite busy. While I started my week on the other side of the state for the House Majority Retreat, I returned Monday evening for a busy Tuesday. On Tuesday I joined with Senator Chichester for the Northern Neck Christian Men’s Group. I then rushed to give a legislative update to the Richmond County Democratic Party.
The next morning, Wednesday, I was up and at it again. I had a great time with the Kilmarnock Kiwanis Club at their Community Service Breakfast. After breakfast I went back to work and it has been work, work, work ever since. Although, today I am planning on attending the Strawberry Festival in Heathsville and the Rivah Fest in Kilmarnock, those two events should be great fun.
As always if I can ever be of assistance please do not hesitate to contact me at robwittman@verizon.net or 804-493-0508. I wish you all a happy and safe Memorial Day.
posted by Blake Hite at 1:18 PM
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