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How important of an issue is transportation to you? RP: Transportation is the single most critical issue facing the Commonwealth. Do you believe Virginia has a transportation funding crisis? RP: Virginia does not have a transportation problem—it is faced with a transportation crisis. The term “crisis” applies to insufficient infrastructure and planning, as well as funding. I am the only candidate that recognizes this crisis, and the only one offering a plan to get us out of it. If you are elected Governor and find yourself pitching our state to a company who is considering moving its operations to Virginia - What positive things would you say about our transportation system? What negative things would you have to say? RP: When companies consider moving to a new location, the presence of an adequate transportation infrastructure is important to all employees. For employees, every hour spent on the road during the morning commute translates into lost productivity and lost time with family. Companies want to see investment in our transportation infrastructure. If I am elected governor, I can promise the most significant and comprehensive investment in transportation in the history of the Commonwealth. This is the single most important issue for my campaign and for the people of Virginia. Every solution will be on the table. What are your transportation priorities and how will you maximize the use of transportation dollars? RP: My main priority for transportation is to define it as a state-wide issue requiring a state-wide solution. Jerry Kilgore’s regional referendum approach is, quite simply, a disgrace. It has failed to produce a solution to the problem, and forces local communities to bear the enormous burden of funding transportation improvements that are the responsibility of the state. Furthermore, where does one region end and another begin? Should a road project that begins in Northern Virginia end at the border of Stafford county? The people of Virginia expect their governor to take the lead on transportation, and not to pass the buck onto them. Tackling the issue at the state level, and working with localities while abandoning the piecemeal regional approach, will create more transportation dollars and produce a comprehensive solution to our transportation crisis. We are one Commonwealth, and we need one plan for transportation. What is your position on PPTA and do you think this is part of a solution to the issue? What is your position on selling or leasing transportation facilities? RP: I am in favor of public/private partnerships as a component of a comprehensive transportation improvement plan. All recent reports and studies indicate that Virginia has vast needs in terms of transportation infrastructure. How do you propose to address the need for an assured stream of billions of dollars over the next 20 years to meet these needs? RP: As governor, I will call a special legislative session to address the transportation crisis. Within the first 90 days of my term in office, I will present a legislative package to the General Assembly, including proposed funding measures for short-term and long-term transportation investment. Do you consider the gas tax a user fee or just a tax? Can you think of any other way to increase transportation revenues for the long run? RP: Whether we view it as a tax or a user fee is more an issue of semantics than policy. However, it is important for us to determine what sources of revenue will help solve our transportation crisis. We are not being honest with Virginians unless we include the gas tax as a component of our transportation funding plan. As governor, my advisory panel will consider all reasonable revenue sources to fund transportation infrastructure improvements, including tolls and public/private partnerships. However, I will not raid the general fund for this purpose. Funding transportation will require new sources of revenue and fresh thinking from our political leaders. It will require some sacrifice from all Virginians. Given that we are required by law to pass a balanced budget, is having a “lock box” on the transportation trust fund really necessary? RP: First, let me say that as governor, I would veto any legislative attempt to divert money from the transportation trust fund to any other government project. I would support a constitutional amendment protecting the trust fund, but it is important to note that under Virginia law, such an amendment would not take effect until 2009. We need to break ground on new projects by July 1, 2006, not 2009. The term “lock box” is only significant for politicians who do not recognize the scope of the current crisis. My opponents use the term to appear as if they support transportation improvement. In reality, there is not enough money in the trust fund to finance significant improvements in Virginia’s transportation infrastructure. I liken their behavior to a promise to protect your child’s piggy bank as a means of funding their college education. I am for dramatically increasing funding for transportation. When I am elected, the mandate for transportation investment will be clear, rendering the lock box discussion obsolete. In your view are there changes needed to better connect transportation and land use choices? If so, what are they? RP: My transportation advisory committee will take into consideration the interplay between land use policy and transportation infrastructure improvement. It is well recognized that land use and transportation are interrelated issues. Land use planning done in a vacuum, without regard to adjoining areas and state concerns can adversely affect the quality of our transportation system. However, I am confident that land use issues will not hinder our progress in this area so long as lawmakers, regional planners, and city councils are serious about addressing the transportation crisis. Some citizens, including other Senators, have said that we need a different approach to transportation - that we can't continue the same kind of 1950's reliance on a roads-only approach and 1950's style development. What policies would you put in place that will assure Virginians that while increasing transportation funding you will also maximize the use of all transportation modes and the existing transportation network? RP: I have been clear in my support for innovative approaches to the transportation crisis. Higher speed rail, expansion of Metro, light rail, and high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes represent some of the available solutions. Though investment in roads will be required, paving the Commonwealth is not the only answer. What would you do to build the capacity of region-wide public transportation, especially in urban areas? RP: Public transportation in the Commonwealth must be the affordable, efficient alternative to the personal automobile, especially in urban areas. In order to make this a reality, we must make sure that Metro-type transportation is available to those communities that need it the most. Do you think Virginia should have a special session this spring to solely address long-term transportation funding? RP: Absolutely. I have promised to call a special legislative session to address transportation, and will make investment in transportation my top priority throughout my term in office. Questions Submitted by Virginians for High Speed Rail Virginia rail fund needs were identified as being $2.7 billion from now through 2010 by the recent Virginia State Rail Plan prepared by the Department of Rail and Public Transportation. Rail has never received state funds until $23 million was appropriated in the 2005 session for a Rail Fund. Obviously, this fund is only a beginning in the attempt to make freight and passenger rail a viable alternative to relieve congestion and provide customer service. What would be your proposal to create funds that can actually bring rail to the condition required to make service efficient and reliable? RP: I have put together an advisory committee on transportation needs and potential funding sources throughout the Commonwealth. Transportation is the single most critical issue in Virginia today. The scope of the crisis requires that we put all solutions on the table. I see rail as an important component of any solution package and will do what it takes to secure adequate, long-term funding from outside the general fund. Recently Amtrak passenger rail service between Washington, D.C. and Richmond and Virginia Railway Express service in Northern Virginia have been handicapped by CSX’s failings of equipment and management. Leadership by all parties has been lacking that would correct the situation and end the inconvenience and unreliability of rail service. As governor, what would you do to relieve this situation that inconveniences VRE and Amtrak passengers daily? RP: I strongly support increased funding for Amtrak. I would use my position as governor, and my ties with the General Assembly, to enhance the quality of rail service and address CSX’s failures in quality control. I-81, I-64 and I-95 are all congested corridors that could be relieved by rail. The current administration and Commissioner Phil Shucet pleased rail advocates and residents of the Shenandoah Valley by insisting that rail be a part of the RFP response for I-81. Would you continue to make rail an integral part of transportation proposals as was the case with I-81? RP: Yes. All possible solutions to the transportation crisis are being evaluated. Does your transportation plan require waiting to move forward until a constitutional amendment has been passed that protects the Transportation Trust Fund? RP: No. Amtrak served nearly one million Virginians last year and provided transportation for those who do not choose to use air service, do not drive, are elderly, handicapped, want to avoid highway congestion or simply prefer passenger rail, and find it more convenient for travel. Virginia’s Congressional delegation, the Administration or other transportation leaders have not responded to the annual threat to eliminate or sharply reduce Amtrak funding that would, in effect, end inter-city passenger rail service. As governor, what could or would you do to help end the wearying and wasteful annual debate over Amtrak funding? RP: My support for Amtrak funding is clear and I would use the governor’s office to improve the quality of Amtrak’s service to all Virginians. |