Submitted by
Michael Anzilotti
The legislative bills and budget amendments are in the hopper and for the first time in nearly two decades it appears that our long neglected transportation infrastructure may get some desperately needed investments. Indeed, Governor Warner, Speaker Howell and Senator Chichester have each put forward a proposal that increases transportation funding.
While this is a positive development, and these proposals deserve support, we can safely say that no matter what the outcome of the 2005 General Assembly session, there will be much more to do over the next several years. We can be assured of this because each of the proposals, while well meaning, falls far short of the comprehensive effort that must be undertaken to rescue a transportation system that in certain parts of the Commonwealth is on the verge of collapse.
The statistics are staggering. Since the last significant investment in our transportation system in 1986;
Yet, during this same period, the capacity of state roads have increased only 7 percent while the buying power of each transportation dollar has eroded by 40 cents.
Investment in new facilities and in the expansion of existing facilities has lagged far behind the growth that has come from outstanding economic opportunity in Virginia. Our quality of life and future economic prosperity depend on the ease and safety of our mobility and on the ability to move commerce effectively.
Therefore, it is essential that our public officials face this issue squarely and act to improve our transportation system for the benefit of Virginians. While the proposals put forward this year are a positive first step, the jury is out on the whether the political leadership exists to enact the measures necessary to fix our transportation mess.
Rigid ideology and symbolism threaten to thwart real solutions. Public officials who insist that no new revenue is needed and who oppose any increase in taxes or user fees must begin to look honestly at the enormity of the problem and the corresponding lack of resources and tell us how they will advance meaningful solutions for the people of Virginia. Likewise, those that oppose funding transportation as the core priority that it is must also answer to the people whose quality of life continues to decline as they sit in gridlock or travel increasingly unsafe roads and bridges.
A transportation package that promotes efficiency, secures the Transportation Trust Fund, and provides the maximum amount of new funding should be supported and passed during the General Assembly session. It is also essential that our political leaders, including the candidates for Governor, make a commitment to identify and build consensus on a major transportation initiative for 2006. The initiative should ensure that transportation investments are substantial and long term, commensurate with priority needs. It should empower local governments more broadly to solve specific regional needs, and create partnerships with the private sector in significant new ways.
Transportation has been studied and debated by many panels over many years. It is imperative that comprehensive long-term solutions are enacted soon. To do otherwise would create serious negative long-term consequences for our Commonwealth.
Michael Anzilotti is the Chairman of Virginia Commerce Bancorp, Inc. and the Chairman of the Virginia Business Council.