Clock Ticking for Virginia Transportation Debate

The stoplight has turned yellow for Virginia legislators in their attempt to pass transportation funding — now will they speed up or slam on the brakes? With the state legislature set to adjourn on Saturday, the House and Senate have appointed conferees to negotiate a compromise to raise much needed revenue for transportation projects.

While both proposals would authorize the raising of $2 billion in bonds, the House's proposal would garner additional transportation funding through an annual diversion of $250 million from the state's general fund as well as through increases in user fees and diesel fuel taxes.  Meanwhile, the Senate's proposal would avoid a general fund diversion and instead raise the additional funding by implementing new auto registration fees of $150 per driver.