TRANSPORTATION FUNDING BILL HEADS TO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE  

*****Action Requested*****

Late yesterday, after a long debate, the Senate passed (Vote Breakdown) the Senate Finance Committee's amended version of the "compromise" transportation funding legislation HB 3202. The major difference in the Senate's version is the elimination of the $250 million per year in general fund money the House proposed. The Senate proposed a $150 fee on the title transfer of vehicles. That change would raise $330 million a year in sustainable revenue for transportation.

The House rejected the Senate's amendment and the bill now goes to conference committee to see if the differences can be worked out.

The conference committee members are:

Del. Morgan Griffith (R) Salem

Del. Terry Kilgore (R) Gate City

Del. Kirk Cox (R) Colonial Heights

Del. Chris Jones (R) Suffolk

Del. Tim Hugo (R) Centreville

Del. Algie Howell (D) Norfolk

Sen. Marty Williams (R) Newport News

Sen. Frank Wagner (R) Va. Beach

Sen. Philip Puckett (D) Tazewell

Sen. Tom Norment (R) Williamsburg

Sen. Ken Stolle (R) Virginia Beach

It is critical that the conferees hear from you this week. It is especially important if you live or work in their District. The contact information for each can be found if you click on their name above.

The message is simple:

• Virginia needs a long term, dedicated, and sustainable transportation funding plan. 
• The plan cannot be based on year-to-year appropriations from the General Assembly. 
• Funding should not pit transportation against other general fund needs like education, health care, the environment and public safety. 
• There must be additional funding packages for Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. 
• We need a solution this year.

If your Delegate or Senator is not on the conference committee, it is still important that they hear from you. The other day, one Senator made the comment that "most legislators now agree that transportation needs have risen to a crisis level in the state." It is important that all members of the House and Senate hear the message that transportation funding is a crisis and we need a solution now!

Contact information for your legislator can be found at: Legislator Contact Information