Among the many proposals set before the legislature in our state's capitol, the transportation bill has been getting quite a bit of attention, and Gov. Mark Warner and House Republican leaders say that they are in agreement on 'most' of the governor's initiatives.
In this fiscal year there is a surplus of money, so there is no shortage of proposals on how to spend it. Both the governor and the house GOP would like to use a quarter billion to pay off debt accrued from deficit project spending.
Other items like long–range transportation projects, a revamped rail system, and increasing the amount of money available to localities such as Albemarle and Charlottesville to correct traffic congestion are included in both proposals. There will also be a "severe" increase in abuser fees--fines for drunken and reckless driving will be substantially increased.
