Virginia state spending plan progressing, but not final, Loudoun Times, April 6, 2012

by Trevor Baratko

Members of the Virginia General Assembly are likely to vote on a two-year, $85 billion state budget April 17 or April 18.

Conferees from the Senate and House of Delegates on April 5 struck a tentative deal, expected be taken up by both the full General Assembly the week of April 15, said Del. Randy Minchew (R-10). Twelve negotiators from both the Senate and House of Delegates have spent the past week trying to find compromises within the $85 billion plan passed by the Senate March 26.

The negotiators didn’t include the $300 million additional appropriation for Phase Two of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project (emphasis added), something Minchew said is “regrettable.” Minchew has been a longstanding supporter of Dulles Rail.

“I think it’s critical that metro-integrated rail come to the primary airport serving the capital of the free world,” Minchew said. “That being said, I’ve been very disappointed with MWAA’s handling of the Dulles Rail project. I also believe that it was not a good idea for MWAA to imply that this additional appropriation was “buy down” the tolls rather than a capital contribution by a funding partner. That sounds like bullying and no one likes a bully.”

Funding for Metrorail was a hotly-debated issue during the regular two-month session that ended in early March without passage of a final budget.

State Sen. Mark Herring (D-33) was one of the most vocal critics of a budget that didn’t include any additional funds for Phase Two, which Herring has said is of local, state and federal significance. Herring has said he won’t agree to a budget that doesn’t include more than the original $150 million pledged for Metrorail by McDonnell. . . .

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