Dear Friends, Virginians, citizens of Fairfax:

It's June in Richmond.  The dogwoods are blooming in Capitol Square.  We should be back bome, but we're here instead.
 
Yesterday, Governor Kaine called the Assembly back into session to deal with the state's transportation challenge.
 
This session was caused by the Supreme Court's February decision which killed the "regional taxing authorities" established by the 2007 Assembly.  In that one stroke, an estimated $300 million was stripped from our regional plan, including $75 million for METRO and VRE service.  But the Court was right.  The 2007 bill was an unacceptable passing of the buck from the legislature to the locals.  Now the onus is back "on us."
 
Since February's decision, the ground is changing under our feet.  Spiraling gas prices have topped $4 gallon.  Auto sales continue to decline, while transit ridership soars. The price of fuel -- based on the market, not taxes -- is changing our economy overnight.  This change is not limited to Fairfax County or northern Virginia.  It is everywhere.  However, the needs are most pressing in those areas where congestion and population density demand immediate action.   
 
A number of bills were filed in the State Senate yesterday.  You can see my write-up at www.oxroadsouth.com.  I have followed three basic principles in evaluating these proposals:
 
1.  Do they promote a 21st century transportation model?
2.  Do they keep the cost burden on users? 
3.  Are they fair and universal in application?   (e.g. Do out-of-state drivers pay their fair share?  Does Fairfax County get back its investment?)
 
No plan is perfect.  Each will need to be phased in over years.  But one thing is evident to me:  we must have a vision beyond the two extremes of "No New Taxes" or "Tax and Pave."  It must be coherent and multi-modal with sustainable funding and linked land use policies.  We also must must have a crystal-clear accounting of funds raised and how that money is invested.  Personally, I am skeptical of the "regional transportation authorities" and the dual chain of command they create.  But that is a message for another time.  In the meantime, we're here to find solutions. 
 
If you have an opinion, I invite your comments at www.oxroadsouth.com while we're in session (or afterwards).  I may not have time to reply to each comment.  However, I read every one. 
 
After the special session is over, I will begin my summer door-knocking in the Oakton and Nottoway neighborhoods.  I hope to see you there or maybe at one of the summer concerts in Vienna, Braddock or Fairfax City.  If you need to reach me or Kathy Neilson, my Chief of Staff, please contact us at (703) 349-3361 or via our constituent website www.fairfaxsenator.com.  Also, if you're interested in a summer internship or joining one of our policy research teams, please contact us. 
 
As always, let us know how we can represent you better.

Sincerely,