Updates on HB 2

General Assembly:

“The House and Senate are taking similar approaches to HB 2 concerning development of a prioritization process for allocating funds for the Six-year Program. Though worded differently, House and Senate-endorsed language in the bill directs the Commonwealth Transportation Board to solicit input from localities, metropolitan planning organizations, transit authorities, transportation authorities and other stakeholders in development of this process, which is to be based on analysis that assigns “weights” for key factors like congestion mitigation, economic development, accessibility, safety and environmental quality. Elsewhere on the transportation front, HB 975 and SB 127 were signed by the governor this week. The bills repeal the $64 annual license tax on hybrid electric motor vehicles that was imposed beginning last July as part of the 2013 transportation package. The tax had been expected to generate nearly $10 million for highway maintenance by 2018. The House Transportation Committee has approved SB 97, which increases from two to three feet the minimum clearance between a passing vehicle and a bicycle or moped. The bill awaits a vote on the House floor next week.”

~ David Blount, TJPDC Legislative Liaison

Fairfax City secures road money in roundabout way

City of Fairfax:

“The City of Fairfax is moving ahead with an arrangement that will allow the city to collect its full share of transportation funds without increasing taxes. Last year’s state transportation bill imposed new local taxes and fees for Northern Virginia, including a new local sales tax. Seventy percent of the new revenues are designated for regional projects, as selected by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, and the other 30 percent is to be distributed to the individual jurisdictions to spend on transportation projects of their choice.

In order to receive their full share of those funds, however, localities must first maximize their commercial and industrial tax, a funding mechanism the General Assembly approved several years ago to allow localities to raise money for transportation projects by taxing commercial properties. The maximum rate is 12.5 cents per $100 of assessed value.

The City of Fairfax’s current commercial and industrial tax rate is 5.5 cents per $100 of value, and the City Council has been reluctant to increase the tax. It is the only Northern Virginia jurisdiction that has not already maxed out its commercial and industrial tax rate.”

~Writes Kali Schumitz of The Fairfax Times

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