Va. Beach council weighs campaign to raise gas tax - The Virginian-Pilot

VIRGINIA BEACH

The state's gas tax hasn't budged since 1987. But not because of a lack of effort.

Now, the Virginia Beach City Council may try to get the General Assembly to increase the 17.5-cents-a-gallon rate, a feat that has eluded even some powerful legislators.

Council members are debating whether to ask the General Assembly for a 10-cent-per-gallon increase next year. The raise would bring in about $500 million a year and create a more sustainable pot of money for the state's extensive list of transportation needs, Beach officials said.

"It's probably the most realistic way to get something done," said Mayor Will Sessoms.

Councilmember Bill DeSteph, an opponent of most taxes and fee increases, said the state's transportation infrastructure is crumbling and needs more funding.

"I don't oppose it if it's tied to something specific and it's needed," DeSteph said.

But even if the proposal is included in the city's legislative priorities for the next General Assembly session, finding support among state officials may be more difficult.

"I don't think it's going to be a realistic option," said Sen. Frank Wagner, a Virginia Beach Republican. "I think a tax increase in that magnitude, it's a non-starter."

In recent years, the General Assembly has squashed attempts to raise that gas tax. Senate Majority Leader and Fairfax Democrat Richard Saslaw pushed for a gas tax increase three years ago, but couldn't even get support from a Democratic governor at the time. Norfolk Del. Algie Howell Jr. introduced legislation in the last General Assembly session to raise the rate by 10 cents. That bill never made it out of a subcommittee.

Gov. Bob McDonnell helped push through a $4 billion transportation package that relied primarily on debt for financing. Virginia Beach will receive nearly $156 million of that money over three years to help with projects such as the Lesner Bridge replacement.

That package was the largest infusion of money for transportation in a generation, said Tucker Martin, a McDonnell spokesman, in an e-mail.

"The Governor strongly opposes any increase in the gas tax," Martin stated.

Still, state leaders need to come up with long-term transportation solution, said Dwight Farmer, executive director of the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization.

The state is increasingly diverting money for road construction into the maintenance of its existing infrastructure. And due to inflation, the 17.5 cent gas tax buys much less now than it did nearly 25 years ago, Farmer said.

"Sooner or later, I believe the General Assembly is going to have to take a hard look at it," he said.

With the economy still sputtering, now may not be the time, Farmer said.

"This is the worst time to be asking for this," he said.

Del. Ron Villanueva, a Beach Republican and former council member, said city officials are simply stressing the importance of road funding.

"Their job is to bring it to everybody's attention," Villanueva said. "You can't fault them for it."

Deirdre Fernandes, (757) 222-5121, deirdre.fernandes@pilotonline.com

01 Oct, 2011

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