McDonnell Statement on Kaine Administration Failure to Utilize Available Federal Transportation Fund
FAIRFAX- Bob McDonnell, Republican gubernatorial nominee and former Attorney General of Virginia, issued the following statement regarding news that the Kaine Administration has allowed the Commonwealth to come in dead last among the 50 states and the District of Columbia in the utilization of available federal transportation funding.
“Every Virginian who has ever sat in traffic should be extremely disappointed by news that the Kaine Administration has allowed millions in federal dollars to sit idly by while congestion worsens in the Commonwealth. Everyday Virginians sit on I-66 in Fairfax and I-64 in Hampton as backups extend for miles. Drivers on I-81 face serious safety issues, and traffic can come to a halt on I-95 between Richmond and Washington D.C. without warning. Adding to our woes, rest stops all across the state are blocked off and shuttered. This Administration has indefinitely delayed the critical 95/395 Hot Lane project, drawing criticism from the Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Sharon Bulova (D). With all of this occurring it is unacceptable that we would fail to put to work federal dollars just waiting to be used for transportation projects in the state. The Governor has apparently decided to let this money sit in state coffers, while we all sit in traffic.”
“We have failed to address our transportation challenges for far too long. In this campaign my opponent vows not to even have a specific transportation plan for voters to consider, foreshadowing continued inaction on this critical issue if he is elected. The time has come to get serious about transportation in Virginia again. That is why I have rolled out a specific, comprehensive and statewide transportation plan that addresses our immediate issues, prepares Virginia for the future and is supported by 12 separate funding mechanisms. As governor I will move immediately to implement this transportation plan, end the finger-pointing and inattention to the issue in Richmond, and get traffic moving again all across Virginia. My opponent has promised to continue the policies of the current Administration, obviously further delay and inaction on transportation are policies our citizens cannot afford”
The news of Virginia’s last place designation came in a letter dated Thursday from Rep. James Oberstar (D - MN), Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to Governor Tim Kaine. In the letter Oberstar wrote:
“In August 2009, almost six months after the enactment of the Recovery Act, I sent letters to the best and worst performers in putting to work Recovery Act highway funds. Since then, we have watched many States move aggressively to use these funds to create and sustain family-wage jobs, contribute to our nation’s long-term economic growth and help the United States recover from the worst recession since the Great Depression.
Regrettably, Virginia is not among these states. Based on the State progress reports submitted to the Committee in September 2009, Virginia has fallen far behind other states in putting to work its Recovery Act highway formula funds.
According to submissions received from all States and the District of Columbia, your State ranks last among all States (51 out of 51) based on an analysis of percentage of Recovery Act Highway formula funds put out to bid, under contract and underway.As of August 31, Virginia had begun construction of projects totaling only 17 percent of the State’s funding.
“I strongly urge you to refocus your efforts to implement the Recovery Act and use the available funds to create and sustain family-wage jobs. These jobs are critical to Virginia’s and the nation’s long-term economic growth.”