RICHMOND, VA – House Finance Committee Chairman Delegate Bob Purkey (R-Virginia Beach) and Finance committee member Delegate Robert Orrock (R-Caroline) commented Wednesday on Governor Bob McDonnell’s transportation plan and urged members of the House of Delegates to work to address our long-term transportation funding needs.

“Governor Bob McDonnell has outlined a serious plan to finally address Virginia’s transportation funding challenges,” said Finance Committee Chairman Bob Purkey. “This is an innovative plan that will help Virginia build a 21st century transportation network. I look forward to working for its passage in the House of Delegates.”

Finance committee member Delegate Robert Orrock stressed the importance of addressing Virginia’s transportation needs and called the plan a great starting point that he looked forward to working on.

“Governor McDonnell, Speaker Howell, Delegate Hugo and Senator Newman have crafted a creative proposal that I think will serve as a great starting point for the legislature,” said Orrock. “There is a lot of work left to be done, but I am very confident that we can craft a solution that will pass the House of Delegates.”

The transportation plan proposed by Governor McDonnell will raise $3.1 billion over the next five years by replacing the gas tax with a comprehensive funding proposal. Increasing fuel-efficiency standards and alternative fuel vehicles are making the gas tax less reliable as a funding source, said Orrock.

“This plan will make Virginia the first state in the nation to eliminate its gas tax. Fuel efficiency standards and alternative fuel vehicles are making the gas tax less reliable as a funding source. By replacing the gas tax with a comprehensive funding proposal, we can stabilize our transportation funding and begin to re-invest in our infrastructure,” said Orrock.

Delegate Purkey asked members of the House to give the legislation its full support.

“This is a very ambitious plan and it could not be timelier. I ask all House members to give the legislation its full consideration and support. I look forward to working with Governor McDonnell and my colleagues on this proposal,” said Purkey.

# # #