From the Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus: 

Va. Senate Democrats Deliver
Historic Transportation Plan, 
Create Path to Medicaid Expansion

Democrats drive passage of the two biggest public policy accomplishments in a generation.

RICHMOND, VA — Today, Virginia Senate Democrats provided the crucial votes to pass a historic transportation reform plan and to put Virginia on a path to essential Medicaid expansion.

Senator Richard L. Saslaw (D-Fairfax) said, “On the two biggest issues this year, Senate Democrats stayed committed to our values and delivered historic legislation. We've delivered the first transportation bill in almost 30 years years and put the Commonwealth on a solid path toward expanding Medicaid.” 

Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) said, “Today, Senate Democrats delivered critical priorities to Virginians, with a historic transportation plan and a budget that prioritizes the expansion of Medicaid.”

Medicaid Expansion

Senator Janet D. Howell (D-Fairfax) said, “We have put Virginia on a clear path to expanding Medicaid. Isn't it immoral to deprive 400,000 Virginians — our neighbors — of medical insurance? Isn't it immoral to deprive 30,000 Virginians — our neighbors — of good-paying jobs? Isn't it immoral to send the hard-earned money of tax-paying Virginians, that should be coming here, to other states? Today, we have made a wise choice and done the right thing.”

Senator McEachin said, “I'm especially proud of Democrats for driving the debate and providing the leadership to make this happen. The language in this budget means countless Virginia families will soon be able to access essential healthcare. The state will save millions of dollars every year, and we'll create thousands of good jobs. Medicaid expansion makes sense for everyone, and I'm very pleased with the path we put the Commonwealth on today.”

Senator Saslaw said, “On the two biggest pro-business bills of this session, Democrats provided the votes necessary for passage. Today, the Senate Democrats passed a budget that puts Virginia on a solid path toward expanding Medicaid, which will generate close to 30,000 good jobs in Virginia. We have to move in this direction.”

A Lasting Transportion Solution

By the fifth year, the transportation plan will raise $880 million in new statewide transportation revenue, and an additional $350 million in Northern Virginia and $200 million in Hampton Roads. This plan, HB 2313, is the first major transportation bill to pass in 27 years. It passed the Senate on a vote of 25 to 15.

The Senate Democrats improved the Governor's plan by maintaining the historic link between road users and funding, reducing the diversion of general funds, and giving localities more flexibility. The plan also raises significantly more new revenue.

Senator Saslaw said, “This plan raises enough money to fix our Commonwealth's transportation problems. The plan raises over $880 million per year for state transportation needs, and gives Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads the flexibility they require to solve their unique transportation needs. This conference report represents real compromise on the part of Democrats and Republicans, and real progress for Virginia.”

Senator Howell said, “Senate Democrats fought to improve the transportation plan over the Governor's original proposal – – and we did it, raising more revenue and giving localities more flexibility. By maintaining the tax on gasoline, we preserved the link between the people who use the roads and the people who pay for them. We've reduced the amount money coming out of the general fund by $100 million, and probably $220 million. This is a better plan because we wouldn't settle for less.”

Senator McEachin said, “Senate Democrats were able to provide the 17 votes needed to pass this bill. This is a  serious, long-term solution to a transportation crisis that has been plaguing Virginia for a decade. With this plan passed, the Commonwealth can finally begin long-overdue construction projects and resume long-delayed maintenance.”

“The consensus among Senate Democrats is that the tax on hybrid vehicles is not necessary and discourages behavior we should be encouraging. However, we judged that the benefit of passing a comprehensive plan took precedence this year. Next year, I am certain we will revisit the issue of a punitive tax on hybrid cars,” added Senator McEachin.

Senator Mamie E. Locke (D-Hampton), “I'm going to be proud coming back home to Hampton Roads having voted for this plan. It gives us the funds we need to begin fixing the gridlock that is plaguing our community. Hopefully, this bill will cut down on the use of tolls in Hampton Roads. I'm glad the legislators have decided to finally address this important issue.”

Coalition for Smarter Growth, Piedmont Environmental Council, Southern Environmental Law Center, Virginia League of Conservation Voters, Virginia Conservation Network

STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF VIRGINIA TRANSPORTATION FUNDING BILL (HB2313)

For Immediate Release:                                         Contact:

February 23, 2013                                                   Stewart Schwartz, CSG 

Chris Miller, PEC

Trip Pollard, SELC

Jeff Painter, VALCV   

“Our groups pressed for major progress at every step of the legislative process, including pushing for the needs of the Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads regions, funding for local roads, substantially more funding for transit, and most of all – for a meaningful, on-going evaluation of VDOT spending,” said Jeff Painter Executive Director for the Virginia League of Conservation Voters. “While a number of the priorities we recommended were included, such as funding for Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, for intercity rail, for Dulles Rail, and for road maintenance, there remains a great need for thorough evaluation of how and where all of these new taxpayer dollars will be spent.”

The groups noted, that while Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads are given new local revenue sources and the power to direct the funding to local road and transit projects, the arrangement also lets the state off the hook.

“Giving localities the responsibility to raise taxes to pay for a limited range of projects, while most existing revenue is diverted to wasteful new highway projects, is not a good deal.  Over the long term, it will result in local tax base, not state transportation revenues, covering the cost of the transportation systems that serve the majority of Virginians,” said Chris Miller, President of The Piedmont Environmental Council.

“The compromise the General Assembly adopted is too road-heavy, but it does provide important benefits. Funding for passenger rail, Dulles Rail, and other transit needs are among the most significant positive features of this package,” said Trip Pollard of the Southern Environmental Law Center.  “Virginia has to move toward a more balanced approach that provides greater transportation choices and a cleaner, more efficient system.”

“Now that the bill has passed, it will be incumbent upon the legislators and local elected officials to watch-dog how the money is spent; starting with the next update of the state 6-Year Transportation Plan,” said Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth. “Where we spend our tax dollars and whether we are supporting more efficient, smarter growth with our transportation investments should be a central topic of this year's Governors race.”

Among the group's concerns about the bill are the following:

1) It doesn't commit the state to funding local roads (which it has failed to do for a number of years) and pushes the cost for local roads onto Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads.

2) It doesn't require wiser spending by VDOT even as it effectively allows for about $500 million a year in additional highway construction funding for VDOT.

Just this week, VDOT took $869 million in GARVEE bonds (out of $1.2 billion authorized statewide in 2011) for Route 460 and the Coalfields Expressway, two of the most wasteful projects to be proposed in Virginia.  Just four proposed projects — Route 460, Coalfields Expressway, Charlottesville Bypass, and the Northern Virginia Outer Beltway — would consume $5.5 billion that could be used for higher priority needs.

Good to see; I hope these folks will be vocal in their support of this vital project for Arlington!

Arlington, VA – A pro-streetcar group, Arlington Streetcar Now, announced its formation at the Arlington County Board meeting on Saturday, February 23. Longtime Arlington resident and civic activist John Snyder made the announcement and presented the Board with a list of principles the group will promote in support of the proposed streetcar system that would link Fairfax County and Alexandra through Columbia Pike and Crystal City.

Arlington Streetcar Now is a growing group of Arlington residents and other strong supporters of the streetcar system. Calling the redevelopment plans for South Arlington “an exciting vision for the future,” Snyder called the streetcar system “the best way to achieve that vision.” Arlington’s vision for Columbia Pike and Crystal City depends on a qualitative upgrade and an increase in transit capacity which cannot be achieved merely by enhancing existing bus service.

Arlington Streetcar Now has been formed, Snyder said, to help “explain how a modern streetcar operates, how it is integral to growth of a locally-oriented business district, to affordable housing preservation on the Pike, and to environmental stewardship.”

Mary Margaret Whipple, former Arlington County Board member and state senator, pointed out that opposition today is similar to resistance to the installation of the Metrorail system in Arlington.  “They made similar claims then – that it cost too much, that we should use buses instead, that kind of thing. It doesn’t matter how sensible or popular a transit proposal is,” said Whipple. “There are always going to be a few people who make it their mission to oppose it.”  Today, Arlington’s investment in the rail system is widely regarded as a principal factor propelling Arlington from a community in economic decline in the 1970s to one of the most desirable locations in the region to live and work.

Local businesses have come out in strong support of this system and the vision for growth and sustainability it represents. Chamber of Commerce member David DeCamp, also a founding member of Arlington Streetcar Now, strongly agrees with the group’s mission. “The investment in the Streetcar will induce mixed-use development and pay us back with growing annual revenues as new buildings are developed – in much the same way that development along Arlington’s Metro corridors has produced a virtuous circle of growing tax receipts that keep a lid on our tax rates and contribute enormously to the quality of life in Arlington.”

Arlington Streetcar Now can be found at www.streetcarnow.org and on Facebook and Twitter. 

(I just tweeted: “Only 4-6 #Virginia Sen. GOPers for @BobMcDonnell’s transpo bill means McD needs 15-17 Dems (out of 20). Better hold out on #Medicaid, Dems!!” – promoted by lowkell)

Here are a few Virginia (and national) news headlines, political and otherwise, for Saturday, February 23. Also, check out President Obama’s weekly address, in which he urges Congressional Republicans to stop threatening the economy and to fix “sequestration” by passing a balanced plan of revenues and spending cuts.

*Top Dems Reject House GOP’s Violence Against Women Act: ‘Simply Unacceptable’ (“Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT), the author of VAWA, derided the legislation as ‘partisan’ and said it omits critical measures designed to protect vulnerable populations like Native Americans, immigrants and the gay and lesbian community.”)

*Kaine says he’s optimistic for sequester deal (We’ll see…)

*Get back to work on military matters (“Absent agreement in Congress next week on federal budget cuts, Hampton Roads will be forced into an austerity mode it hasn’t seen in decades.”)

*Rick Scott bows to reality in Medicaid decision (If freakin’ Rick Freakin’ Scott can do it, then Transvaginal Bob can too! LOL)

*McAuliffe a factor in House transportation vote (T-Mac’s campaign must have calculated that this will help him politically, positioning him as a “reasonable” “centrist” in contrast to far-right-wing Cuckoo. I sure hope his campaign is right, that’s all I can say!)

*Speaker to delegates: road vote won’t cost you re-election (Let me get this straight: Democrats are handing Bob McDonnell a “legacy” by providing crucial votes for a mediocre-at-best transportation plan, and in return they won’t even be helped politically in November? Wow, that sounds…[fill in your own snarky adjective here]!)

*Is the proposed Medicaid panel constitutional?

*Senate Adjourns Without Voting on Highways Bill

*Senate postpones transportation vote; Democrats seek agreement on Medicaid (“‘There’s some dissatisfaction with the transportation plan anyway, so it’s key that we have that Medicaid expansion’ agreement, said Sen. Janet Howell, D-Fairfax County, a Senate budget negotiator.”)

*State budget negotiators working on Medicaid compromise

*House of Delegates passes transportation compromise

*Va. transportation plan clears House, stalls in Senate (“…several senators said the governor had agreed Thursday night to go along with the Medicaid compromise to pave the way for the transportation bill.”)

*House District #43 (The latest in NLS’ continuing series on Virginia HoD districts…)

*Some GOP delegates favor over-the-counter birth control

*Gun initiatives short of what’s necessary

*General Assembly toughens penalties for straw gun purchasers (That’s fine, but it’s also wildly inadequate to what is needed.)

*Conferees reach tentative deal on statewide school division funds

*Senator Warner encourages Chesapeake City Council to ‘reconsider’ rezoning

*Two Va. congressional offices evacuated due to suspicious letters

Not Larry Sabato broke this story earlier today, but here’s a press release from the Fairfax County Democratic Committee:

Fairfax Judges Put Voters First
Hans von Spakovsky not reappointed to Electoral Board

FALLS CHURCH – Today the judges of the Fairfax County Circuit Court took a major step forward in protecting the rights of citizens of Fairfax County to vote.

“I applaud the decision of the Fairfax County Circuit Court judges in declining to reappoint Hans von Spakovsky to the County Electoral Board,” said Cesar del Aguila, Chair of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee. “By their action they have put the rights of the voters of Fairfax County to a fair and impartial administration of our election first. Von Spakovsky is a well-known national advocate for voter suppression efforts and a promoter of fictitious voter fraud fears. Without von Spakovsky, who was recommended for a second term by the Fairfax County Republican Party, our Electoral Board can return to acting on a bi-partisan basis to protect the rights of all citizens of Fairfax County to vote.”

View the Fairfax County Democrats’ letter to the Circuit Court regarding von Spakovsky:
http://electionlawblog.org/wp-content/uploads/Letter-to-Judge-Smith-re-Hans.pdf

View the Court Order regarding today’s appointment:
http://fairfaxdemocrats.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Court-Order-Electoral-Board-Appointment.pdf

(NOTE TO SENATE DEMOCRATS: Before you guys leave town, you need to make 100% sure that you get Bob McDonnell’s agreement, in WRITING (and also publicly), to expand Medicaid. End of story. – promoted by lowkell)

Just a few minutes ago, the Virginia House of Delegates passed, by a 60-40 vote margin, the transportation compromise reached earlier this week (and that we’ve discussed intensively here at Blue Virginia). Personally, I would have voted against this bill unless two parts were fixed and/or strengthened: 1) the $100 fee on hybrid vehicles is utterly absurd, totally bass-ackwards as the expression goes; and 2) I would want much stronger assurances that any new transportation revenues would be spent on environmentally friendly, smart growth, sustainable transportation solutions and not on more sprawl-inducing highway boondoggles from hell. In addition, House Democrats needed to use this bill for leverage on Medicaid expansion. I’m disappointed they didn’t do that, really don’t understand why they didn’t play hardball, and am 100% certain Republicans would have done just that if the shoe had been on the other foot. Sigh… {UPDATE: Is a a “deal in the works” on Medicaid after all? Let’s hope!}

Anyway, now on to the State Senate, where I’m hoping (but not holding my breath) that the issues noted above will be addressed.

P.S. It turns out that Republicans could only muster 34 of the 51 votes they needed to pass this bill. In other words, Democrats gave then 25 of their 32 votes to pass this bill, without getting anything in return on Medicaid, the $100 hybrid fee, or whatever. I’m baffled; what am missing here?!?

UPDATE: Here are the “yeas” and “nays”.

Yea: Albo; Hodges; Marshall, D.W.; Scott, J.M.; BaCote; Hope; May; Sherwood; Brink; Iaquinto; McClellan; Sickles; Bulova; Ingram; McQuinn; Spruill; Cosgrove; James; Merricks; Stolle; Cox, M.K.; Jones; Minchew; Torian; Dance; Keam; Morris; Toscano; Dudenhefer; Kilgore; O’Bannon; Tyler; Edmunds; Knight; Orrock; Villanueva; Filler-Corn; Kory; Plum; Ware, O.; Greason; Krupicka; Poindexter; Watson; Head; LeMunyon; Purkey; Watts; Helsel; Lewis; Putney; Yancey; Herring; Lopez; Rust; Yost; Hester; Loupassi; Scott, E.T.; Mr. Speaker

Nay: Anderson; Fariss; Lingamfelter; Ransone; Bell, Richard P.; Farrell; Marshall, R.G.; Robinson; Bell, Robert B.; Garrett; Massie; Rush; Byron; Gilbert; Miller; Surovell; Carr; Habeeb; Morefield; Tata; Cline; Howell, A.T.; Morrissey; Ward; Cole; Hugo; O’Quinn; Ware, R.L.; Comstock; Joannou; Peace; Webert; Cox, J.A.; Johnson; Pogge; Wilt; Crockett-Stark; Landes; Ramadan; Wright

UPDATE 3:12 pm: I’m hearing definitively that a deal on Medicaid expansion most certainly WAS an integral part of why many House Dems voted for the transportation deal. Now, the key is to make sure that deal is locked in, that McDonnell doesn’t renege or backtrack, and that the Senate make that absolutely clear before they agree to vote for this legislation!