Submitted by
Charles H. Foster, Jr.
March 2007
It appears that the decade's long wait for significant new transportation investment has finally come to an end. Members of the House of Delegates, Senate and the Governor are commended for replacing policy gridlock, with a focus on results, through pragmatism and compromise. On April 4, legislators should close the deal by supporting the amended transportation bill.
In doing so, policy makers must recognize that while this is an important step, the overall long-term transportation investment proposed in the legislation must go further over time to support economic growth and a high quality of life for Virginia citizens. Additional long-term, sustainable, dedicated revenue sources are needed.
Numerous public and private sector studies of Virginia's transportation challenges conclude that tens of billions of dollars of investment in infrastructure are needed over the next 20 years. The compromise legislation provides desperately needed investment in the high growth areas of northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, but it addresses only about half of the overall identified need. Similarly, the state-wide annual investment of about $500 million is an important first step, but is far short of the amount necessary to address needs that have accrued through the lack of appropriate investment for the past 20 years.
It is also important to pursue policies that balance the critical priorities of Virginians. To sustain a strong business climate and high quality of life, priorities in the areas of education, public safety, health care and the environment must also be appropriately addressed. Investments in these priorities are provided from the Commonwealth's General Fund. It is imperative that critically needed investment in transportation does not diminish investments in other core priorities. In the area of higher education alone, in the near term, Virginians are faced with the prospect that thousands of graduating high school seniors will be denied access to a four year college or university because there is not enough class room space or teachers.
The transportation bill is an important and significant step in the right direction. As important, or possibly more important, however, is a return to the tried and true Virginia tradition of pragmatism and compromise to achieve results for the betterment of the Commonwealth.
Charles H. Foster, Jr. is the Chairman of the Virginia Business Council.