2006 TRANSPORTATION FUNDING ISSUE FACT SHEET Virginia's Transportation Funding Crisis According to VTrans 2025, Virginia's transportation needs amount to more than $4 billion annually. As of yet, the 2006 General Assembly, during its regular and special sessions, has not enacted a funding solution that generates the bare minimum for transportation - at least $1 billion statewide, plus $400 million and $250 million for Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, respectively. The Senate proposes a long-term plan that could generate $5.75 billion over the next four years ($670 million statewide; $388 million for Northern Virginia; $180 million for Hampton Roads - each annually and in addition to a one-time cash infusion in FY 2008) using sustainable funds for transportation and leaving education, health care and public safety funding intact for those intended purposes. The House proposes a two-year plan, using general funds intended for education, public safety and health care to help pay for transportation. The House plan does not provide long-term, sustainable funding for transportation. Rather, the House proposes setting aside a one-time reserve of nearly $1 billion for legislators to appropriate later, causing many much-needed projects to be delayed or canceled. Gov. Kaine proposes a long-term plan with more than $1 billion annually in new transportation revenues and investments by increasing the sales tax on motor vehicle and user fees. The plan would cost the average Virginian the equivalent of three packs of chewing gum per month. What Happens When Funding is Delayed? In the four months that Virginia's legislators have debated the transportation funding crisis, Virginians have wasted more than 84 million gallons of gas and more than 52 million hours stuck in traffic. (Information based on the 2003 statistic from the VTrans2025 Summary of the Final Report.) If we put off the decision on transportation funding, VDOT's next six-year program will: Require that an additional $500 million or more come out of the construction program to fund debt and maintenance. Have nearly $750 million cut from its construction program. Be in jeopardy of meeting federal obligation authority. Delay critical new construction projects. Jeopardize commitments for transit and rail capital and expansion funds. Virginia needs a sustainable and dedicated, multimodal transportation funding package immediately. Contact your legislators now regarding this issue. Visit www.itstimevirginia.org or call 804-237-1399 for more information. Virginians for Better Transportation Virginians for Better Transportation comprises nearly 850 supporters statewide. We urge members of the 2006 General Assembly to enact definitive solutions to Virginia's transportation funding crisis immediately. These solutions must include long-term, sustainable and dedicated funding and provide for all modes of transportation. Privacy Policy Copyright © 2007 Virginians for Better Transportation. All Rights Reserved.