GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto Senate Bill 304, which would allow the General Assembly to elect the nine citizen members of the Commonwealth Transportation Board who do not serve at large.

During my first three months in office, my top priority has been working in a bipartisan manner to find a long-term, fiscally responsible approach to fix our transportation problems and change the way Virginia approaches these issues.

This bill only serves to fragment the Commonwealth’s transportation planning process at a time when we should instead be coming together to make the tough decisions that the people of Virginia demand and our transportation problems require.

Furthermore, no reason exists for the executive branch to cede this appointment power to the legislative branch at this point.  Any shift in the balance of power should occur in conjunction with a broader review of issues including the merits of a two-term governor.