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Delegate Black supports
transportation plan |
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State Delegate Dick Black ( R - 32nd District) said Tuesday he is in support of Gov. Jim Gilmore's new transportation plan to add $2.5 billion in funding over the next six years.
Black said the plan, which Gilmore said will be accomplished without a tax increase, "promises dramatic benefits" for commuters in Sterling, Ashburn, Leesburg and Herndon. |
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In addition to funding a mass transit bus system to serve until a later date when commuter rail is extended to the Dulles Airport area, the plan sets a priority on relieving congestion on interstate highways including I-66.
Black, a member of the Trans- portation Committee in the House of Delegates, met with Gilmore in late July to discuss transportation. |
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"Our biggest single project was metro rail to Dulles Airport, followed by widening I - 66 for commuters," Black said. "The Governor's plan incorporates many of our best ideas. He's backing us on BRT rapid transit to Dulles, followed by metro rail to Tyson's Corner and Dulles Airport. We've got his backing to widen I-66 at the same time." |
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Black said he endorses using 40 % of state's share of the tobacco settlement funds and moving money from the General Fund to the Transportation Fund.
"Shifting money from the General Fund will mean fewer dollars for political pork, and more money for infrastructure," he said.
He said he was "relieved that Governor Gilmore refused to bend to Democrat pressures to raise taxes
"It's irresponsible to seek major tax increases when Virginia has a record budget surplus," he added.
Under the proposal, a new Priority Transportation Fund would be established for high-priority statewide projects. It would receive $1.5 billion over six years. The Transportation Trust Fund would receive $1 billion. |
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Loudoun Easterner Sept. 1, 1999 |
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