Press Releases

McDonnell to Virginians, Businesses: Stay in Traffic

Posted by Greg on Thursday, June 05

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                
June 5, 2008                                               

MCDONNELL TO VIRGINIANS, BUSINESSES: STAY IN TRAFFIC

Continues Republican Leadership "No" Chorus; Splits with Business Community Calls for Action


Richmond- In a Virginian Pilot Op-ed this Sunday, Bob McDonnell said he favors "putting the brakes" on solutions to the transportation crisis. His Op-Ed represents a significant break with the Hampton Roads business community, 20 prominent members of which sent him a letter calling for action and leadership (Supporters urge McDonnell to join the transportation debate, Virginian Pilot, May 31).

Indeed, his editorial seems a direct response to the business leaders who urged him to "create a viable solution" and called for a funding solution that "must address both regional funding needs and the significant statewide funding shortfall." Signatories to the letter included Glenn Huff of McDonnell's former law firm, Huff, Poole & Mahoney.

McDonnell's Op-Ed further reinforces the Republican Leadership position that no statewide investments are necessary and that new transportation infrastructure can somehow be had for free. He merely echoes Delegate Morgan Griffith, Kirk Cox, and Speaker Bill Howell's chorus of "no" to any and all transportation proposals.

McDonnell himself has acknowledged that he himself has no "particular plan or vision" for how we meet the state's transportation needs. [Richmond Times-Dispatch, 3/26/08]

Last week, the Virginian Pilot Editorial Board offered their own sharp criticism of McDonnell, saying that his public statement "doesn't contain a single word about his own ideas," and "his objections increase chances next month's special session will fail." They recognized that "no serious candidate for governor would trash someone else's proposal for fixing the state's most pressing need unless he had a better idea in mind."

"Bob McDonnell continually fails the test of leadership. " said Democratic Party of Virginia Executive Director, Levar Stoney. "He'll put the brakes on relieving congestion, stimulating the economy, and ensuring that our roads are safe." said Democratic Party Executive Director Levar Stoney.

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