Archive for the ‘Transportation’ Category

Herring Announces Legislative Agenda for 2012 General Assembly Session

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

Senator Mark Herring (D- Loudoun & Fairfax) announced today a number of legislative proposals and budget initiatives that he will be sponsoring during the 2012 General Assembly session, which began this past Wednesday. To date, Senator Herring has introduced 18 bills and anticipates introducing several more before the January 20th deadline.

Public Safety:  Protecting the Vulnerable

Among the highlights of Senator Herring’s legislative package is SB 222, which would make it a crime to knowingly financially exploit an older or incapacitated adult.  Senator Herring has lead the effort for several years, working with a coalition of groups including the Fairfax County Financial Crimes Division, AARP, Alzheimer’s organizations, Commonwealth Attorneys and concerned citizens, to strengthen Virginia’s laws in this area.

“When I began working on this legislation in 2009, we found that Virginia’s laws were among to weakest in the nation at protecting older Virginians from financial abuse,” Herring said,  “After a multi-year effort, there is now money in the budget to cover the corrections impact.  I am convinced that this is the year we will finally see this become law.”

Senator Herring will continue to lead the charge against dangerous designer drugs.  He has introduced SB 223 to continue the work started last year with his SB 745 to combat the growing problem of synthetic marijuana and bath salts.

“As long as there are individuals out there who are trying to find ways around our laws in order to make a quick buck by selling extremely dangerous drugs to our kids, we need to remain vigilant,” Herring said. “I am continuing to work with law enforcement, forensic scientists and prosecutors to ensure they have the tools they need to stay one step ahead of the drug makers and dealers.”

Economic Development:  Grow and Strengthen Virginia’s Innovation Economy

Continuing his efforts to promote science and technology based economic development, Senator Herring has introduced SB 232. This legislation would enhance Virginia’s competitiveness in attracting major data center investments.  SB 232 has the strong support of the Northern Virginia Technology Council, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce and the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce.

Senator Herring has also introduced legislation that would establish the Commonwealth Innovation Investment Fund.  This initiative creates a long-term, dedicated funding source to grow research and technology companies by capturing a percentage of the growth in state revenue from science and innovation companies. It is designed to create jobs, nurture start-ups and bring more science and technology companies to Virginia.

“Much of Virginia’s future economic prosperity will depend on our ability to compete and win in a in a globally competitive, innovation economy,” Herring stated.  “We need smart policies, like the bills I am introducing, in order to attract the high-growth, high-paying jobs that the science and technology industries bring.”

Reverse Governor McDonnell’s Cuts to K-12 Education

Governor McDonnell’s introduced budget contains several proposed cuts to K-12 education funding.  Senator Herring has introduced budget amendments to reverse these cuts, and restore vital state education funds to Virginia localities.

“The Governor’s proposed cuts would be very detrimental to our children and to the quality of their education,” Herring said.

“One of the budget amendments I have introduced would reverse Governor McDonnell’s unfair elimination of the cost of competing adjustment for support personnel in Northern Virginia.  Currently, the state budget recognizes that the higher cost of living in Northern Virginia results in higher costs for the school divisions in our region.  By proposing to eliminate this adjustment, Northern Virginia localities stand to lose $65 million over the biennium that would have to be made up by increases in local property taxes.”

Senator Herring is also seeking to reverse other proposed cuts in public school funding included in Governor McDonnell’s budget. Herring has proposed budget amendments that would restore $217 million in direct aid to public schools throughout the state.

Additionally, Senator Herring has introduced two other education related budget initiatives.  One would provide start-up funding for Loudoun County Public Schools to implement a full-day kindergarten program.  Another would boost funding for career and technical education throughout Virginia.

Support Phase II of the Dulles Rail Project

Senator Herring continues to support the completion of Phase II of the Dulles Rail Project.

“Extending the Metro to Dulles Airport and into Loudoun County is a federal, state and local priority,” Herring said.  “Localities have already indicated their willingness to participate financially, and now it’s time the state step up and contribute more to the project in order to keep toll rates from skyrocketing.  That is why I have introduced a budget amendment seeking $500 million in state transportation funds for Phase II.”

Previously, Governor McDonnell has announced $500 million in state funding for a Hampton Roads bridge-tunnel project and $400 million for turning Rt. 460 between Petersburg and Suffolk into a highway, in both cases to buy down tolls.

“If Virginia can spend almost $1 billion to buy down tolls elsewhere in the state, it can come up with more funds to support a project as significant as the Dulles Rail Project,” Herring stated.

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Thank you!

Wednesday, November 16th, 2011

Thank you.  One week ago today, all of your hard work paid off and we achieved a convincing victory.  I am extremely grateful for your continued trust and support.

I am also very proud of the campaign we ran.  We outlined a positive vision for our future and remained focused on the key issues our area faces – jobs and the economy, transportation and education.

Most of all, we talked about the need for leaders to roll up their sleeves, put partisan politics aside, and work together to deliver results.  I’m proud of my record of doing just that, and I’m eager to continue putting that philosophy to work in the Senate.

Serving you in the Virginia Senate is a tremendous honor and privilege.  I am humbled by the confidence that you and the voters have placed in me.  There’s a lot to do in the months and years ahead, and I’ll need your continued help and support along the way.  Again, thank you and let’s get started!

Sincerely,

Mark

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Free Webinar to Highlight Virginia’s Telework Tax Credit

Monday, September 26th, 2011

State Senator Mark Herring will participate in a free webinar on Friday September 30, 2011, from 9:30 am – 10:45 am, hosted by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), to educate businesses on the new tax credit legislation aimed at encouraging private sector telework.

Virginia’s new telework tax credit, sponsored by Sen. Herring during the 2011 General Assembly session, provides for a tax credit of up to $1,200 per employee, up to $50,000 per organization, for eligible telework expenses incurred during taxable years 2012 and 2013.

“Telework takes cars off the road, improves employee productivity and allows workers to spend more time at home with their families and less time stuck in traffic,” Senator Herring said. “It’s a win-win.”

The webinar will provide additional information on the tax credit, the requirements to pre-apply and qualify for the credit, and how telework practically applies in the organizational setting.

To register for the webinar, and for more information on the new telework tax credit, visit this website. Pre-applications for the tax credit are due to the Department of Taxation by October 31, 2011

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Route 7 Task Force Releases Action Plan

Wednesday, June 1st, 2011

Click here to download an electronic copy of “Seven For Seven: Getting Loudoun Moving”. Please note that this is a very large file and might take a minute to download.

The Route 7 Task Force, established by State Senator Mark Herring (D-Loudoun & Fairfax) last September, concluded its work with the release of its action plan entitled, “Seven For Seven: Getting Loudoun Moving”. The plan offers a set of concrete steps that can and should be taken to alleviate congestion along the Route 7 corridor, in both the short and long term.

Senator Herring formed the Task Force, comprised of fifteen business and community leaders, with the mission of exploring and prioritizing solutions aimed at alleviating congestion along the Route 7 corridor between the Town of Leesburg and the Fairfax/Loudoun border. From September 2010 through March 2011, the Task Force conducted eight meetings and heard testimony from county, state, and town officials, transportation interest groups, traffic engineers, and members of the public.

“Creating community consensus and bringing together those who have worked separately toward the same goals for years was one of the objectives I had for the Route 7 Task Force at the outset,” Herring stated. “I am proud to say that we have accomplished that goal.”

The work of the Route 7 Task Force has already paid dividends for Loudoun County. With the Task Force’s strong support, Senator Herring was able to secure state funding for the Route 7/Belmont Ridge Road interchange and the Sycolin Road overpass, two projects that were identified early on by the Task Force as top priorities for the county.

Copies of the Task Force’s plan have been sent to Transportation Secretary Sean Connaughton, Delegates Joe May, Tom Rust, and Tag Greason, Chairman Scott York and the members of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, and Mayor Kirsten Umstattd and the members of the Leesburg Town Council.

Click here to download an electronic copy of “Seven For Seven: Getting Loudoun Moving”. Please note that this is a very large file and might take a minute to download.

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State Senator Herring Urges Public to Attend Redistricting Hearings

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

Loudoun Legislator says public input is important to process

State Senator Mark Herring wants voters to give their input on this year’s legislative redistricting plans.

This week, the Democratic-controlled Virginia Senate and Republican-controlled House of Delegates submitted redistricting plans to the General Assembly’s Division of Legislative Services. The plans, which will determine the state’s legislative district boundaries for the next decade, are expected to be considered by the legislature during the week of April 4.

Details of the redistricting plans can be viewed online at the Division of Legislative Services website. The public will also be able to view maps during eight redistricting hearings to be held across the state.

A hearing will be held for the Loudoun area on March 31, 2011 at the Loudoun County Government Center (Leesburg) in the Loudoun County Board Room. This meeting will begin at 7:30pm.

A hearing will be held for the Fairfax area on April 2, 2011 at the Fairfax County Government Center (Fairfax) in the Board of Supervisors Auditorium. This meeting will begin at 10:30am.

“Public input is an essential part of the redistricting process. Redistricting hearings were held around the Commonwealth last year and will be continued over the next few days. I encourage all Loudoun and Fairfax voters to participate in this week’s hearings,” said Herring.

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General Assembly Wrap-Up and the Road Ahead

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011

Dear Friend,
Another fast and furious General Assembly session is in the books, and I have returned home to Leesburg. A 45-day session is a short amount of time to attend to all of the people’s business. I am pleased to say that this was a successful session. While in Richmond, I worked with members of both parties, in both Houses, to solve problems and deliver results for you. Here are some highlights:

  • I was a chief co-patron of the Governor’s transportation bill that, while not the long-term solution we need, will provide $4 billion to construct over 900 infrastructure projects across the Commonwealth including two right here at home: the Route 7/Belmont Ridge Road interchange and the Sycolin Road overpass.
  • I passed a Research and Development Tax Credit that will make Virginia more attractive to the technology industry, more competitive with our neighbors, and create high-paying, high-growth potential jobs.
  • I also passed a Telework Tax Credit that will encourage companies to set up telework programs and allow employees to spend less time in traffic and more time with their families.
  • Working together with several members of both parties in the House and Senate, we crafted and passed legislation to criminalize synthetic marijuana and protect our children from these dangerous designer drugs.
  • And I passed legislation that will protect Virginia’s Tuition Assistance Grant Program (TAG) to ensure that Virginia tax dollars are awarded to Virginia students attending Virginia institutions.

Just as quickly as session has ended for the year, my campaign for re-election now begins and I am excited and looking forward to the road ahead. This November, you will once again have the opportunity to send me back to Richmond to continue to be a strong, independent, and effective voice for you.

I’m looking forward to traveling the district and speaking with voters about my strong record of putting aside partisan politics, solving problems, and delivering results. I am also excited to share with you my vision for Virginia and where I think we need to go in the future.  So stay tuned for email updates on events I’ll be attending in the months ahead and on ways you can get involved in the campaign!

Thank you for your continued support. As always, it is an honor and a privilege to represent you.

Sincerely,
Mark
Mark Herring

PS. I will be hosting a reception in the Bacon Room at Lansdowne Resort on Saturday, March 26 from 4 to 6pm. Please click here to register online. You may also email Jon at jon@markherring.org or call  703-729-3300 if you would like to attend. I hope to see you there!

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Herring Releases Statement on the Senate’s Passage of McDonnell’s Transportation Plan

Monday, February 7th, 2011

Senator Mark Herring (D-Loudoun & Fairfax) today released the following statement after the Virginia Senate passed Governor McDonnell’s transportation plan. The plan, calls for accelerating $1.8 billion in transportation bonds approved in 2007 and the issuance of an additional $1.1 billion in bonds backed by anticipated federal revenue.  The nearly $3 billion will be spent on over 900 transportation infrastructure projects across the Commonwealth over the next three years:

“Today, I voted in favor of, and the Senate passed, Senate Bill 1446 which is an important first step in addressing Virginia’s long-term transportation needs.”

“The plan will allow Virginia to take advantage of historically low interest rates in order to accelerate the construction of desperately needed transportation infrastructure projects across the Commonwealth over the next three years.  Among these are Loudoun County’s most pressing transportation infrastructure needs: the construction of the Route 7/Belmont Ridge Road interchange and the construction of the Sycolin Road overpass.”

“Governor McDonnell is fond of saying, ‘There are no Republican or Democratic roads,’ and I could not agree more.  Our constituents expect us to come down to Richmond and to work together, members of both parties in both houses, to find solutions to our most pressing issues, and transportation is certainly at the top of that list.”

“For too long, Virginians have been spending too much of their time stuck in traffic, away from their families, and away from their jobs. This means lost productivity for our businesses and a lower quality of life for our citizens.  It is my hope that by passing this legislation, we have taken a meaningful step forward that will improve the lives of the residents of our Commonwealth.”

Additionally, SB 1446 includes Senator Herring’s legislation, SB 1329, to amend the state’s highway “revenue sharing” program with localities to make more state matching funds available to localities that wish to undertake their own road construction projects.  Senator Herring is a chief co-patron of SB 1446.

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Herring Announces Support for McDonnell’s Transportation Plan

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011

Senator Mark Herring (D-Loudoun & Fairfax) today announced his support for Governor McDonnell’s transportation plan. The plan, which passed the Senate Finance Committee yesterday, calls for accelerating $1.8 billion in transportation bonds approved in 2007 and the issuance of an additional $1.1 billion in bonds backed by anticipated federal revenue.  The nearly $3 billion will be spent on over 900 transportation infrastructure projects across the Commonwealth over the next three years.

“As the Governor has repeatedly acknowledged, this plan is a first step in addressing Virginia’s long-term transportation infrastructure needs.  All of the experts, including the Governor himself, are in agreement: Virginia needs over $1 billion dollars per year to adequately meet those needs,” Herring said.  “While I do have concerns about relying on borrowed money, Virginia does have significant short term needs that these funds can immediately address.”

“Among those are Loudoun County’s top transportation infrastructure projects,” Herring said.  “Through my efforts and the efforts of County officials, my Route 7 Task Force, and the business community, I am pleased that Transportation Secretary Sean Connaughton has pledged that the state will fully fund the construction of the Route 7/Belmont Ridge Road interchange and the Sycolin Road flyover in Leesburg, if the package passes the General Assembly.  The Governor’s bond package will also include state funding for several other projects of great importance to eastern Loudoun and western Fairfax County.”

In addition, Senator Herring’s legislation, SB 1329, to amend the state’s highway “revenue sharing” program with localities to make more state matching funds available to localities that wish to undertake their own road construction projects, was merged into the Governor’s transportation bill, SB 1446, making Senator Herring a chief co-patron of the legislation.

“Throughout this process, I pledged to keep an open mind and work constructively with the Governor and his administration. As the Governor himself is fond of saying, ‘There are no Republican or Democratic roads,’ and I could not agree more,” Herring continued.  “Our constituents expect us to come down to Richmond and to work together, members of both parties in both houses, to find solutions to our most pressing issues, and transportation is certainly at the top of that list.”

“For too long, Virginians have been spending too much of their time stuck in traffic, away from their families, and away from their jobs. This means lost productivity for our businesses and a lower quality of life for our citizens,” Herring stated. “It is my hope that with the passage of this legislation, we will take a meaningful step forward that will improve the lives of the residents of our Commonwealth.”

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Herring Announces Legislative Agenda for 2011 Session

Friday, January 14th, 2011

Richmond- Senator Mark Herring (D-Loudoun and Fairfax) today announced his legislative agenda for the 2011 General Assembly session, which began this past Wednesday.  To this point, Senator Herring has introduced 17 bills and anticipates introducing several more before the January 21st deadline.

Among the highlights of Senator Herring’s legislative package is SB 1326, which creates a Research and Development Tax Credit in Virginia.  This legislation is the top priority of the Northern Virginia Technology Council and the Virginia Biotechnology Association, with whom Senator Herring has worked closely in the past, including last year on the passage of the Virginia Innovation Investment Act.  For his efforts to promote science and technology based economic development, Senator Herring was named “Legislator of the Year” in 2010 by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO).

This legislation was also included among Governor Bob McDonnell’s “Opportunity at Work” legislative proposals.  The Governor thanked Senator Herring for carrying this legislation during his State of the Commonwealth address delivered this past Wednesday.

“This legislation will build on the great strides we have made in recent years to make Virginia more competitive with our neighbors and more attractive to bioscience and technology industry,” Herring said.  “Our Commonwealth, and Northern Virginia in particular, is perfectly suited for the kinds of high-paying, high growth potential jobs that science and technology industry brings with it.  I’m grateful for the Governor’s support on this important initiative.”

Virginia is currently one of only 12 states that do not offer an R&D tax credit as part of its job creation strategy.

Senator Herring will also offer a budget amendment to allocate $25 million to the Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund (CRCF).  The CRCF was created through legislation authored by Senator Herring in 2009, and is designed to better focus the moneys available under the program to key areas of research and development in the Commonwealth.  The CRCF emphasizes the importance of commercializing research and development through matching-fund programs, leveraging private and federal funds, and providing a loan program for the construction of facilities utilized in commercializing qualified research.

Transportation will be one of the top issues on the General Assembly’s plate in 2011, and Senator Herring continues to be focused on ways to generate new revenue for transportation.

“The Governor campaigned on having a detailed plan to fix transportation without raising taxes.  While his proposals have fallen short of expectations thus far, I remain committed to working constructively with the Governor to see if he can find a way to make good on his promise,” Herring stated.

“As a demonstration of that commitment, I responded to the Governor’s request last year for ideas and input on how to raise revenue for transportation.  One of the ideas I shared with the Governor was to consider changes to the state’s revenue sharing program, which directs state funding to projects where localities are willing to share in the cost of highway construction.  The Governor has embraced that proposal and has included it in his 2011 transportation legislative package.”

The bill, SB 1329, removes the $1 million cap for individual allocations and gives funding priority to projections focused on congestion relief.  The bill also increases the minimum appropriation from $15 million to $50 million.

Senator Herring plans to continue to push the Governor, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Commonwealth Transportation Board, to allocate available state funds to construct the Route 7/Belmont Ridge Road interchange and Sycolin Road overpass.  These projects continue to be top priorities for Loudoun County, and Senator Herring’s Route 7 Task Force has also identified obtaining funding to construct these projects as critical to alleviate congestion along the Route 7 corridor.

Also on the agenda is SB 1335, which establishes a telework tax credit for Virginia employers, a bill included among bi-partisan package of government reform bills resulting from the Governor’s Commission of Government Reform and Restructuring.

Continuing his efforts to expand transparency and accountability in state government, Senator Herring introduced SB 1338, the Virginia Responsible Budgeting and Spending Control Act.

“This past election, voters in Virginia and around the nation sent a message to lawmakers reminding us that it is our responsibility to be careful stewards of their tax dollars,” Herring stated.  “The Virginia Responsible Budgeting and Spending Control Act provides that the Governor submit a financial plan to the General Assembly that includes projections for total state debt and projected future expenditures over periods of six and ten years.  We need to know precisely the fiscal consequences that spending and borrowing decisions will have on our state budget over the long term.”

“I am optimistic that members of both parties in both chambers will come together around these important pieces of legislation I am introducing in 2011, and I am confident that the tone in the General Assembly will be one of civil and constructive debate as we consider how to best move our Commonwealth forward into the future.”

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My Letter To Governor McDonnell

Wednesday, December 15th, 2010

In addition to creating jobs and getting our economy moving, transportation continues to be among our greatest challenges that we face here in Northern Virginia and across our Commonwealth.

On September 9, I received a letter from Governor McDonnell asking for help in coming up with ideas about transportation funding.

The Governor wrote:

“To successfully reform how the Commonwealth funds its transportation system will require a great deal of work and cooperation.  The Commonwealth cannot address the challenges it faces without our reaching a consensus on how best to fund transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvements.”

I could not agree with the Governor more, and I was genuinely appreciative of him reaching out in such fashion.

He continued:

“I would appreciate any and all recommendations, insights, and/or proposals you may have so that we can building on our internal proposals and develop a realistic plan for Virginia’s transportation future.  I would request your input by November 1st so we can be prepared for the 2011 session.”

I gladly took the Governor up on his request, and on November 1st I sent him and his staff my response outlining a few of my ideas on how to generate funding for transportation.

You can read my letter to the Governor here.

It’s important for you to know that as your State Senator I am working in a bipartisan way with the Governor to address the transportation needs of the Commonwealth.

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