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Localities struggle to replace funding withdrawn by Richmond

photo by taberandrewVirginia's budget -- pared down to 2007 levels -- stripped counties, cities, and towns across the commonwealth of funds that would have gone to schools, community services, and road construction projects. In order to balance their budgets without the anticipated money, most localities had to cut services, raise taxes, or both.

State budget issues can have a profound impact on homeowners, especially when those issues affect local community budgets.

Read more from The Associated Press....

Posted on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 - 3:28pm

Augusta Residents Fret About State Cuts to Come

Some Augusta County residents recently attended a town hall meeting and asked legislators to protect the area from budget cuts, according to The News Leaders.

The residents were concerned about budget cuts affecting transportation, education, public health and Gov. Tim Kaine's recommendation to shut down the Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents.

Del. Steve Landes, R-Weyers Cave, will host two other town hall meetings for the 25th District: Saturday 9-10:30 a.m. at the Elkton Area Community Center, and noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Crozet Public Library.

Landes also encouraged residents to attend one of the public hearing the state is hosting to get input on the budget. The closest meeting to the area will be conducted at noon Thursday at Grafton-Stovall Theatre at James Madison University.

"Local residents questioned state spending priorities during a town hall meeting Tuesday and asked legislators to shelter this area as much as possible from budget cuts.

More than 65 people attended the session hosted by Del. Steve Landes, R-Weyers Cave, at Augusta County's Government Center to discuss proposed state cuts and the upcoming General Assembly session, which convenes next week. Residents voiced opinions supporting a range of budget priorities, including mental health, public education and transportation projects."

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Posted on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 - 11:38pm

Prince William Traffic Projects Will Make Commuting Easier

Three transportation projects in Prince William County will be funded by newly appropriated federal stimulus and state funds, according to the Washington Post.

Each of the projects will help to improve traffic conditions in hight congested areas. Homeowners will appreciate the increased ease of getting around, but also, can appreciate the increased property values their homes will experience due to the completion of these projects.

"The Prince William Board of County Supervisors appropriated about $14 million in federal stimulus and state funds Tuesday for transportation projects.

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the county received $9.1 million to widen Prince William Parkway between Hoadly and Old Bridge roads to six lanes. The project will include right-turn lanes when possible.

Prince William Transportation Director Thomas J. Blaser said the entire project, including engineering and right-of-way costs, totals nearly $12 million, with the rest of the funding mainly coming from proffers.

The section to be widened runs by the county government center, although Blaser said it is too soon to tell how the construction will affect traffic.

The design work is complete, Blaser said, and construction crews should break ground in February. Under the stimulus guidelines, the county has until February 2012 to complete construction.

The board also appropriated more than $2.7 million in funding from the commonwealth Tuesday to improve and widen Fuller Heights Road. The proposed project will widen Fuller Heights to four lanes near Marine Corps Base Quantico and realign Fuller Heights and Fuller roads. Fuller Heights traffic backs up at the base entrance and spills onto Route 1, county officials said.

Blaser said the state funding will cover the cost of the project. The design phase will begin immediately, and construction should begin within a year.

A third project the board appropriated money for Tuesday is to be conducted on Purcell Road. The board appropriated roughly $2.2 million in funds from the Regional Surface Transportation Program, which will be added to the roughly $2.6 million already budgeted to complete the project.

The funding will be used to realign Purcell Road and correct a sharp bend. Purcell will also be widened to four lanes between Route 234 and Vista Brooke Drive."

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Posted on Thursday, October 8, 2009 - 3:16pm

Highway Money Meant for Hampton Roads Heads North

Image from dougtoneThe Virginian-Pilot recently published an opinion piece about the distribution of highway funds throughout the Commonwealth. Covering details of how interstate funds for Hampton Roads dropped from $32 million last year to $6 million this year, and to zero dollars by mid-2010, the op-ed piece also points out that localities in Northern Virginia will receive 81 percent of the state's interstate budget this year, and 90 percent next year.

"What is Hampton Roads' fair share of Virginia's interstate highway dollars? How about 21 percent, our share of the state population? Or 15 percent, the portion of interstate miles running through the region?

Did anyone guess 2 percent? Fairness aside, that's the region's actual share of interstate funds this year. Here's another number: 0 percent. That's what Hampton Roads will get next year.

The reality that Virginia's second-most congested region is so shortchanged should have folks across the state scratching their heads. Those of us who fight through the region's monstrous traffic jams to work, worship and pick up the kids have a right to be apoplectic.

An analysis by the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization lays out the grim facts. The study covered state funding from 2004 to this year, as well as future plans by the Virginia Department of Transportation for divvying up road dollars through 2015. Over the 12-year period, Hampton Roads' share is 17 percent, while Northern Virginia gets 58 percent, but those aggregate numbers mask what's happening right now."

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Posted on Monday, July 27, 2009 - 2:12pm