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ACROSS SESSIONS
- Subject Index: Since 1995
- Bills & Resolutions: Since 1994
- Summaries: Since 1994
Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.
1995 SESSION
LD7655368Patrons--Crittenden, Albo, Barlow, Behm, Callahan, Christian, Cooper, Copeland, Croshaw, Cunningham, DeBoer, Diamonstein, Forbes, Grayson, Hamilton, Heilig, Jones, D.C., Jones, J.C., Keating, McDonnell, Melvin, Moore, Moss, Nelms, Purkey, Robinson, Spruill, Tata, Van Landingham, Wagner and Wardrup; Senators: Andrews, Benedetti, Calhoun, Colgan, Earley, Gartlan, Holland, C.A., Holland, E.M., Holland, R.J., Lambert, Lucas, Maxwell, Miller, Y.B., Norment, Quayle, Waddell, Walker and Woods
WHEREAS, public transportation, an essential element of the transportation system on the Peninsula and in South Hampton Roads which comprise the Hampton Roads region of the Commonwealth, provides mobility to commuters, shoppers, tourists and many citizens who would otherwise be isolated from jobs, family members, retail stores, tourist destinations, medical treatment, and other facilities; and
WHEREAS, public transportation is vital to the physical well-being, safety, and quality of life of both older and disabled citizens in Hampton Roads, many of whom would have no safe and reliable means of travel but for the existence of public transportation services of Hampton Roads, including James City County Transit, the Peninsula Transportation District Commission (PENTRAN), and the Tidewater Transportation District Commission (TRT); and
WHEREAS, a reliable and efficient public transportation system is a crucial factor in attracting future economic development and preserving existing jobs in Hampton Roads, as evidenced by the support of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce and the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce for dedicated, reliable funding for public transportation in the region; and
WHEREAS, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has indicated its intention to downgrade the characterization of the Hampton Roads region to a "moderate" air quality nonattainment area under the Clean Air Act amendments of 1990, posing a substantial threat to Hampton Roads' future ability to attract new economic development and to retain existing businesses which are the heart of the region's economy, and placing an absolute premium on maintaining an effective system of public transportation that will serve the entire Hampton Roads region; and
WHEREAS, federal policies contained in the Clean Air Act Amendments, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, and energy policies require an expanded role for public transportation; and
WHEREAS, federal funding for public transportation has declined dramatically over the past decade, placing increased stress on state and local funding for public transportation and resulting in large increases in fares paid by passengers, many of whom live on fixed incomes; and
WHEREAS, reduced funding for public transportation has also resulted in service reductions, which deprive citizens of basic and essential mobility, and further reductions in federal and state financial assistance have raised the probability of further service cuts in the immediate future; and
WHEREAS, local governmental support for public transportation throughout Hampton Roads currently is drawn from general funds in local treasuries, placing the responsibility for local support of public transportation primarily upon homeowners and other property taxpayers; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That [ a
joint subcommittee be established to study funding for public
transportation in Hampton Roads.
The joint subcommittee shall consist of nine members to be appointed as
follows: four members of the House of Delegates to be appointed by the
Speaker of the House; three members of the Senate to be appointed by the
Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections; and two members at large who
are residents of the Hampton Roads region, one to be appointed by the Speaker
and one to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections.
In its deliberations, the joint subcommittee The James City County
Transit, the Peninsula Transportation District Commission and the Tidewater
Transportation District Commission be requested to study funding for public
transportation in Hampton Roads. In their deliberations, these entities ]
shall examine: (i) the current sources of local funding for public
transportation; (ii) the scope of property tax relief which could be realized
for homeowners and other property taxpayers in Hampton Roads by identifying
dedicated funding sources, other than local general funds, to support public
transportation; and (iii) sources of stable and reliable dedicated funding
for public transportation.
[ The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support for the
study. Technical assistance shall be provided to the joint subcommittee by
the Peninsula Transportation District Commission, the Tidewater
Transportation District Commission, and the Department of Rail and Public
Transportation upon request. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide
assistance to the joint subcommittee, upon request.
The joint subcommittee shall complete its These entities shall
complete their ] work in time to submit their findings and recommendations to
the Governor and the 1996 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the
procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the
processing of legislative documents.
[ The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $5,000.
Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and
certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may withhold
expenditures or delay the period for the conduct of the study. ]