Transportation
“In the last decade, legislators have tried, failed, tried, and failed again to solve the transportation issue. There hasn’t been a shortage of ideas, just a shortage of leadership. I believe the people deserve a representative they can send to Richmond to face this issue head-on so that our community and Commonwealth remain competitive in the global economy and continue to be an ideal place to raise a family. We must come together to create commonsense, conservative solutions to properly serve our transportation needs.” –Rosemary Wilson
Transportation may be the most critical issue facing the Commonwealth today. Our transportation system is core to the vibrancy of our economy and the backbone of our ability to move people, goods, and facilitate services. However, commuters and businesses are losing precious time and money because of growing congestion on our roads. Whether we recognize it or not, congestion is costing each of us. Studies show that congestion costs each commuter in Hampton Roads on average $546 due to delays and wasted fuel, and that was back in 2004. (Source: The Road Information Program Report, 2004)
Rosemary’s time on School Board and City Council has taught her that meaningful change and solutions come from striving towards achievable goals. Rosemary recognizes that much more work and consensus building is required in order to completely solve the transportation issue, the following immediate three reforms are a good start and will help keep transportation dollars in Hampton Roads and ease congestion.
Long-Term Structural Reform
In order to regain the trust of Virginia voters, the General Assembly must lock the Transportation Trust Fund… and do it now. Maintaining and improving a transportation system requires predictable funding levels – it simply cannot sustain raids to run other government services. Rosemary will support legislation to keep transportation dollars from being diverted for other purposes.
Keep Transportation Dollars in Hampton Roads
For too long, Hampton Roads taxpayers have footed the bill for core government services in other parts of the state at the expense of our own transportation needs. Hampton Roads has 21% of the population and will receive only 2% of funds available for interstates this year. (Source: Virginian-Pilot, July 26, 2009) This must stop. We must keep transportation dollars in Hampton Roads. Rosemary will introduce a bill that requires VDOT to ensure the taxes we send to Richmond for transportation are spent here in Hampton Roads.
Incentives for Off-Peak Driving
Most of our congestion problems stem from overwhelming use at peak hours. We need to do everything we can to encourage off-peak hour use of our roadways. Rosemary’s got a few ideas… Let’s give a progressive tax credit to businesses with more than twenty employees that require employees to come and go at off-peak hours. For example, a tax credit should be available to a business that moves its hours of operation from 8 a.m. to 7 a.m. in order to avoid peak hours on our roads. Let’s reward businesses that make a contribution to congestion reduction. The more employees the business has, the bigger the tax credit will be. Also, commuters should be offered incentives too. Any tolls at bridges and tunnels should be discounted for use at off-peak hours. This will encourage people to use their cars at times when the impact is minimal.
