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1998 SESSION
(SB177)GOVERNOR'S VETO
Pursuant to § 6 of Article V of the Constitution of Virginia, I am returning without my signature Senate Bill 177.
All motorists rely on their local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) during their greatest time of need -- after an auto accident. There is no doubting the invaluable assistance these salaried and volunteer workers have provided scores of individuals. Similarly, there is no doubting the invaluable service provided by local law enforcement or fire officials. But even so, we should not raise taxes in a period of economic growth to fund law enforcement or others unless they document a need for the funds.
I am vetoing this measure based on a number of reasons:
1. There was no budget request offered by the Department of Health for a 100 percent increase in funding for these programs.
2. The funding for this program has increased from $4,845,000 in 1990 to $10,630,119 in 1997, an increase of 119%.
3. This legislation would tax Virginia drivers an anticipated $22,000,000 per year -- a 354% increase in funding from 1990.
4. If funding for emergency services had been tied to the Consumer Price Index instead of taxing drivers $2.00 per year, funding would have only increased to $6,179,334 instead of the projected $10,838,000 the Department of Motor Vehicles anticipates collecting this year.
5. Virginia has over $2 billion in anticipated additional revenues over the next two years. It is inconsistent to raise taxes in a period of economic growth.
6. By enacting this law Virginia would set a precedent for funding programs based on anticipated demand, not current need. There has been no plan presented by the Department of Health or the Department of Emergency Services to show how this money would be spent.
7. The legislature considered this measure earlier with HB 601 and decided to carry over the bill until the 1999 General Assembly Session. Between now and the 1999 General Assembly Session, if a need can be demonstrated that we should levy an additional tax on drivers, then the legislature can act on that bill.