Legislators React to Court Ruling
Now what?
As state lawmakers on Friday grimly digested a court ruling that kills highway funding plans for Hampton Roads and northern Virginia, they were initially divided over how to handle the fallout.
The legislature is set to adjourn March 8, and some lawmakers suggested they return for a special session later this year and not wait until 2009.
"Perhaps this spring," said Sen. Charles Colgan, D-Prince William.
Opinion was also divided on whether the Virginia Supreme Court ruling should prompt the state to enact a statewide transportation funding plan and abandon the regional approach. That could mean a renewed push for a gas tax increase throughout Virginia.
Sen. John Miller, D- Newport News, is fresh off a campaign that saw him knock on doors throughout the Peninsula. He says his constituents would prefer a statewide solution to gridlock.
"This gives the General Assembly the chance to go back and get it right," he said.
Sen. Ken Stolle, R-Virginia Beach, said the General Assembly could deal with the ruling in a simpler manner: Pass legislation to recreate the regional authorities, but have the state impose the taxes.
"I don't know that the fix is very complicated on that, as far as the regions are concerned," he said.
That approach, Stolle reasoned, would not run afoul of the unanimous court ruling, which said legislators improperly delegated taxing powers to the unelected members of the Northern Virginia authority. The opinion also invalidates the Hampton Roads plan, several lawmakers said.
However, Stolle's plan could hit a wall in the House of Delegates, where the GOP majority frowns upon increasing taxes.
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said he was disappointed in the ruling and held immediate talks with House and Senate leaders. He would not commit to a specific follow-up plan.
"We feel a sense of urgency about trying to find a resolution," he said.
Published in the Daily Press on February 29, 2008
Article by Hugh Lessig