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Sen. Russ Potts meets with Virginians for Better Transportation |
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State Senator Russ Potts, the Independent candidate for governor, said he has a simple answer when asked about the top three issues of his campaign: transportation, transportation and transportation. “It’s the number one issue in Virginia; it isn’t even close.”
Potts met with leaders of Virginians for Better Transportation (VBT) July 23 to discuss his plans related to the transportation funding issue facing the Commonwealth. He also provided written responses to a VBT questionnaire. Similar meetings have been requested with Republican candidate Jerry Kilgore and Democratic candidate Tim Kaine. When those meetings take place, we will report on them as well.
Potts, who is a successful sports promoter, has represented Winchester and a large part of northwestern Virginia in the Senate since 1992. The I-81 and I-66 corridors intersect the area, and a growing number of his constituents commute to Washington, D.C. or Northern Virginia for work.
He is currently a member of the Senate Finance Committee, and in the interview with VBT stressed his support for the failed Senate transportation package in the 2004 budget and tax battle.
“I told the governor that, if necessary, I was willing to stay in session until September,” he said. But unfortunately the Senate backed off its transportation proposals in forging a compromise with the House of Delegates.
Potts said he will provide a detailed transportation plan after Labor Day that will likely include increased funds dedicated to transit and rail and other transportation modes in addition to the highway system. Transit programs receive about 15 percent of the current Transportation Trust Fund, while rail programs do not receive any of these funds. Potts said if elected, he would increase funds to about 27 percent to cover both programs.
He also pledged that as governor he would quickly call a special session to address transportation, and said he understands that once the legislative process is underway there may be changes to any plan he proposes.
He supported the 2002 transportation sales tax votes in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads but has not conditioned his support for future transportation revenue on voter approval. “The real referendum takes place on November 8,” Potts said.
On the campaign front, Potts expressed confidence that his independent bid has an excellent chance to succeed if he can raise sufficient funds. A recent published poll showed his support at about 9 percent currently, with neither of the major party candidates breaking 40 percent at this early stage in the race.
To learn more about the Potts campaign, visit the Web site at www.russpotts.com or to contact his campaign office, call 800-919-0281.
To see Sen. Potts’ responses to the VBT questionnaire click here.
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