Citizens have the ultimate influence, with their votes

There's a friendly debate going on amongst the region's bloggers about "influence" regarding Hampton Roads' transportation woes:


"i just wish GA will stop opposing each other long enough to realize that this is hurting transportation wise. if the entire state doesn’t want to pay for them, then let them pass a law that uses taxes on a regional level....the HRP can have an influence on the GA. SOMETHING needs to be done."

This response was from the Partnership staff:

The Hampton Roads Partnership (HRP) has worked hard to influence for many years (since 1996).

We were responsible for getting the bill passed that allowed the 2002 referendum. The public campaign was done by an outside organization (not by HRP) and was, shall we say, less than successful. MOVE Hampton Roads hired the lobby firm that many say facilitated the compromises among General Assembly (GA) members that led to passage of HB 3202 (which authorized NoVA and Hampton Roads to raise revenue through regional authorities, the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority and the Hampton Roads Transportation Authority respectively).

Ugly as it was, HB 3202 was to provide money for transportation, that is, until amendments were added that made it unconstitutional. Del. Glenn Oder's 2009 bill, HB 1580, abolished the HRTA, unanimously passing both the House and the Senate. (Ref: http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?091+cab+SC10213HB1580+HB1REF)

What’s the next step?

At this point, “influence” needs to be directed at state-wide and GA candidates for November elections. What’s missing now is influence from the public. The public needs to get engaged in this debate. Polls showing 70% support is what caused the 2009 restaurant smoking bill to pass. That same groundswell has to happen for transportation before the GA will vote for new funding options.

Fear of losing their seats in November will get the GA moving on transportation funding. And, that has to happen with folks like you getting engaged to change the public’s opinion and, thus, the polls.

Could you or Russell or other members of HRT’s User Citizen’s Advisory Committee help? If you write a post on this very subject, we'll be happy to publish on the HRP Blog: SmartRegion.org.