Roanoke chamber gets behind McDonnell transportation plan
The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce has endorsed Gov. Bob McDonnell’s transportation funding plan and is encouraging state lawmakers to come up with a long-term plan to fund the state’s road and transit needs.
The Roanoke chamber announced its support for McDonnell’s plan Thursday and the governor’s office promoted it in a news release this afternoon. The Virginia Chamber of Commerce and chamber groups in Hampton Roads and Prince William County also have backed the governor’s plan.
McDonnell wants to scrap the state’s 17.5 cents per-gallon gasoline tax and increase the state sales tax to help generate new revenue for transportation. McDonnell also has proposed a $15 increase in vehicle registration fees and would use part of the proceeds for passenger rail, including the extension of rail service to Roanoke.
McDonnell’s transportation proposal has received mixed reviews since he unveiled it on Tuesday. Legislators in both parties have raised concerns about scrapping the gas tax, partly because it would restrict the state’s ability to collect revenue from out-of-state drivers.
In a news release, Roanoke Regional Chamber Chairman Dan Motley urged lawmakers to give McDonnell’s plan their “utmost consideration.”
“The Roanoke Regional Chamber has been a consistent advocate for long-term, sustainable transportation funding mechanisms implemented on a statewide basis,” said Ronaoke Regional Chamber Chairman Dan Motley in a news release. “A modern, multi-modal transportation network will improve the lives of all Virginians by reducing congestion and facilitating the movement of goods, services, and people throughout the Commonwealth. We share the Governor’s sense of urgency on this critical issue and encourage members of the General Assembly from both parties to give the Governor’s proposal their utmost consideration as they work towards a long-term solution.”
– Michael Sluss
January 11, 2013 - 1:35 PM
If people would sit and think, they would realize that the McDonnell gas tax plan saves the people a lot of money, and, you CAN control what you buy, and how much. You HAVE to have gas to drive. You cannot do without it. This tax doesn’t affect groceries. At less than a penny on the dollar, I think this is a great plan! I know it will help me.
Did the Roanoke Chamber support Roanoke City’s meals tax increase a few years back?
We definitely need a long-term plan, but endorsing this abomination?
Why would the Gov scrap the current tax that allows out of state travelers to share in the cost of roads for a plan that would shift that burden completely onto the residents of the state?
Why should only Virginians pay for roads that are used by people from all over the country?
Out of state people make non-gas purchases in the state, so they would be sharing the burden.
Wow–what a giveaway to the folks with gas guzzlers and a hit to those driving non-fossil fuel vehicles. Why must people who drive very little subsidize the consumption habits of others? More: I notice diesel tax will remain. Why doesn’t the Chamber advocate for ending the diesel tax for truckers and diesel car drivers? These folks will get a double whammy in this scheme. Finally: what’s to stop the petroleum industry from merely raising the price of gasoline to equal the cut in the tax?
“Finally: what’s to stop the petroleum industry from merely raising the price of gasoline to equal the cut in the tax?”
This. What are the odds our prices at the pump drop dollar for dollar to the tax elimination? I put it them at none. On the other hand, the increase on the sales side is a sure thing.
And LarryH, gas usage is entirely within your control.
While it’s a good idea in theory if you look at it specifically – it does in fact shift ALL of the burden to Virginia residents. Knowing that I-81 is one of the heaviest North South Interstates in America (which means the majority of vehicles using the road are out of state and won’t be shopping in VA) combined with I-95 which is THE heaviest traveled interstate in American – again, VA carries that burden…does tip the balance unfavorably on Virginians. The reality that no one wants to hear is that TOLLS will be needed without question within the next 10 years. You can’t avoid it and it is a fair and balanced approach that will generate revenue from the millions of out of state cars that use our in-state roads. No one wants to hear it – but is is true.