Press ReleasesState News

Republican Leadership to Virginians: Our Way or Keep Sitting on the Highway

Posted by Mike on Wednesday, March 14

House Democratic Caucus
Delegate Ward Armstrong, Democratic Leader
Delegate Brian Moran, Democratic Caucus Chair

For Immediate Release
March 14, 2007

Contact: Mark Bergman, 804-269-1323 (cell)
Republican Leadership to Virginians: Our way or keep sitting on the highway

In today’s Washington Post, Republican leaders said that if a deal on transportation is not reached this year that they would not address Virginia’s transportation crisis for the remainder of Governor Kaine’s term, which ends in 2010.

"This is the year for transportation. If we don't act this year, I don't think we act for a number of years," said Sen. Kenneth W. Stolle.

So, instead of attempting to solve Virginia’s transportation crisis, Republican leaders have chosen to play election year politics and threaten to keep Virginians sitting in traffic for years if they can’t get their way on the transportation bill.

“Since the beginning of the legislative session, the Republican leadership has refused to compromise on their transportation plan,” House Democratic Leader Ward Armstrong said. “The bill was crafted in secret without public debate or scrutiny and now the Republicans want to call this bill a compromise. Well, when you compromise with yourself, it’s not really a compromise.”

“We intend to continue to work together with our Republican colleagues to find a solution that is best for the Commonwealth, while taking input from Virginians still stuck in traffic,” Delegate Armstrong added.

In the same article, Speaker Bill Howell said he refuses to compromise on his proposed cuts to education, health care, and public safety to fund transportation.

“Democrats have worked throughout the session to find ways to reduce this plan’s reliance on dollars set aside for our schools, our colleges, our public safety officials, and our elderly,” House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran said. “But now, Republican leaders are playing election year politics and are willing to keep Virginians sitting in traffic for years if they don’t get their way on their proposed cuts to Virginia’s top priorities.”

Delegate Moran has launched a new website www.noraid.net that enables Virginians to speak out against the proposed cuts to education to fund transportation.

“The best way to find a compromise is to work together to solve problems, not make political threats at the expense of our constituents,” Delegate Moran added.
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