Del. Poindexter: VA has major problems not likely to be resolved soon

By Roger Mannon
Media General News Service
Published: July 31, 2008

The Commonwealth of Virginia has some major problems that aren’t likely to be resolved soon. That was the message from Ninth District Delegate Charles Poindexter, who visited Floyd last Thursday.

Poindexter, a first term Republican representative, came to Floyd to listen to concerns of local residents. Prior to talking with constituents, he spoke with a representative of The Floyd Press.

Transportation continues to be a top priority, Poindexter said. Infrastructure costs exceed the money to pay for them.

“This isn’t likely to be resolved in the next session,” Poindexter stated. “It is probably going to become an election year issue (in 2009).”

The General Assembly failed to resolve the transportation funding issue during the regular session and again in a special session held a few weeks ago. Gov. Tim Kaine proposed raising additional funds by increasing the gasoline tax and other taxes and fees.

“The House defeated the proposal 98-0, and the Senate voted against it 59-39,” Poindexter reminded.

As to the media observation that Republicans are obstructionists, Poindexter told the Press, “It’s not so much a matter of Republicans and Democrats, but along regional lines. Republicans and Democrats from the rural areas are aligned against Northern Virginia, Richmond and Tidewater.

“With the problems people are having to deal with in higher gas and food prices, this is not the time to be raising taxes,” Poindexter said, noting his district was very adamant on the issue. “It’s running about eight- or nine-to-one.”

The House proposed nine transportation related bills. That included initiating a lockbox for transportation funds, determining where the state should go over the next 20 years, putting more money into rail, and dedicating future revenues from off-shore drilling to transportation.

“All of the bills failed,” Poindexter said. “They were killed by the Senate in committee and never reached the Senate floor for a vote.”

Reviewing the overall budget will be crucial in a slowing economy. “We’ll have to see where the economy is by January,” Poindexter said. “We’ll take a look at 2010 to see if the revenue forecast is still a reasonable assumption. Things have already slowed down.”

Despite being in office for less than a year, Poindexter was elected vice chairman of the Energy Committee. “Our job,” he noted, “is to recommend to the General Assembly how to improve Virginia’s energy plan.”