RICHMOND- On Thursday, April 2nd, Delegate Chris Saxman participated in a meeting of the Joint Commission on Transportation Accountability in Richmond.
Delegate Saxman authored legislation to establish the oversight Commission during the 2006 special session on transportation. The House of Delegates unanimously approved the measure to create a Commission to conduct performance reviews of the operations of state agencies with transportation responsibilities. The Senate initially defeated the measure in the Rules Committee, but the measure was included in the final approved transportation package.
The Joint Commission on Transportation Accountability is charged with ascertaining whether appropriated funds have been or are being expended for their intended purposes, as well as evaluating the effectiveness of transportation programs. Delegate Saxman was appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates to serve on the Commission in 2008.
Today's meeting included a presentation on the Federal Economic Stimulus money that Virginia is scheduled to receive, as well as an update from Secretary of Transportation Pierce Homer on the status of the closure of the Interstate Rest Areas, a move recommended by the Governor to save the state money on maintenance costs.
"Transportation is a critical issues facing Virginians, which is why we established the Joint Commission on Transportation Accountability," said Delegate Saxman. "The Commonwealth spends billions every year on transportation projects, but it is critical that we ensure those funds are actually being spent on their intended purposes and are achieving the desired outcomes. It is our job to provide oversight and guidance to ensure our transportation agencies are operating efficiently and effectively and providing real results for Virginia taxpayers."
"I remain concerned about the Governor's proposal to close Interstate Rest Areas and was able to raise these concerns with Secretary Homer," continued Delegate Saxman. "Innovation has always been a key factor in our country’s growth and long-term economic strength. During economic challenges, innovation becomes all the more important for governments. I asked Secretary Homer if the Commonwealth could privatize Virginia’s highway rest areas, as other states have done."
"Secretary Homer responded that we would need to have our Congressional delegation submit legislation to allow Virginia a federal exemption. Unfortunately, previous attempts to grant an exemption have been thwarted by the federal truck-stop lobby; however I will be contacting Congressman Bob Goodlatte, Senator Jim Webb and Senator Mark Warner to inform them of this situation and see how we can work together to provide this option for Virginia."
"By offering licensing options, rest areas could remain open for travelers, while also generating additional revenues that could be re-invested into VDOT’s maintenance program. These funds should remain in the VDOT planning districts in which they are generated."
"While this option certainly would not “solve” all of VDOT’s fiscal challenges, it would be another tool in their toolkit in these tough economic times. It would provide VDOT some flexibility in how they go about addressing funding challenges, while minimizing the effects on services."
"Another option that may help the Commonwealth would be for the Governor or Secretary to make the request that Virginia be included in innovative financing projects. We must be willing to explore new ways of funding projects that can help us reach our transportation goals in less time and at more competitive costs, and it is my hope that the Commonwealth will keep an open-mind to these new approaches moving forward."
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