Transportation Deal: Key Points, the Vote

Road Rage

Clearly, the “bold” deal approved by Governor Bob and his battalion of legislators invites further analysis.

But try and delve into the measure and you find a hodgepodge of language particularly related to Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia.

My hunch – and it’s just a hunch – that the new legislation sets up a local control mechanism that actually subverts or replaces in another fashion the failed 2007 referendum to hike the sales tax and regional authorities, defeated by a constitutional challenge.

In reading HB 2313, here’s what struck me.

· Establishment of the Hampton Roads Transportation Trust fund

· Imposition of a retail sales tax at the rate of 0.70 percent, but not on food for consumption.

· Imposition of a 4.3 percent, up from 4 percent, tax upon the use or consumption of tangible personal property in Virginia, or the storage of such property outside Virginia for use or consumption in this state. 

Hampton Roads Drivers Reaction

· More detail: the tax is levied upon the storage or use of all motor vehicles, machines, machinery, tools or other equipment brought, imported or caused to be brought into this Commonwealth for use in constructing, building or repairing any building, highway, street, sidewalk, bridge, culvert, sewer or water system, drainage or dredging system, railway system, reservoir or dam, hydraulic or power plant, transmission line, tower, dock, wharf, excavation, grading, or other improvement or structure, or any part thereof.

· Motor vehicles will be taxed at the rate 2 percent, down from 3 percent.

· Watercraft will be taxed at the rate of two percent, with a cap of $1,000

· Aircraft will be taxed at the rate of 2 percent

· For a public facility that is a sports facility, "sales tax revenues" shall include such revenues generated by transactions taking place upon the premises of a baseball stadium or attached structures.

Let me know if I misread or incorrectly cited parts of the legislation.

In addition, here’s how our local lawmakers voted. 

 Local Legislators' Vote on the "bold and palty" Transportation Deal

VIRGINIA HOUSE OF DELGATES
Algie Howell Jr.	D	Yes
Barry Knight	R	Yes
Bob Purkey	R	Yes
Bob Tata	R	No
Chris Jones	R	Yes
Chris Stolle	R	Yes
Daun S. Hester	D	Yes
John Cosgrove	R	Yes
Johnny Joannou	D	No
Lionell Spruill Sr.	D	Yes
Lynwood W. Lewis Jr.	D	Yes
Matthew James	D	Yes
Rick Morris	R	Yes
Ron Villanueva	R	Yes
Sal Iaquinto	R	Yes
VIRGINIA SENATE
Frank Wagner	R	Yes
Harry Blevins	R	Yes
Jeff McWaters	R	Yes
John C. Miller	D	Yes
Kenneth Alexander	D	Yes
Maie Locke	D	Yes
Ralph Northam	D	Yes
Sen. Louise Lucas	D	Yes
Thomas K Norment Jr.	R	Yes
Note:
Delegate Tata was recorded as nay.  Intended to vote yea.
Delegate Ward was recorded as nay.  Intended to vote yea.
Source: Virginia General Assembly Legislative Information Service