HRTPO Chair, Linda Johnson and HRPDC Vice Chair, Dr. Ella Ward carried the important message of the region’s legislative priorities yesterday as local elected officials and chief administrative officers met with the Hampton Roads Caucus of the General Assembly.  The Speaker’s conference room was standing room only as state and local leaders discussed important transportation and education funding issues impacting Hampton Roads and the Commonwealth. 

Mayor Johnson thanked the delegation for their leadership in securing the funding mechanisms needed to move so many of the region’s priority transportation projects.  Key transportation priorities include completing a Tier II environmental impact statement for higher speed rail between Hampton Roads and Richmond, as well as the pursuit of funding for trains 2 and 3 to Norfolk.

Dr. Ward made the case for increased funding for K-12 public education across the Commonwealth.  A major issue for localities that must make difficult choices between social services, police and fire protection and other residential services that all compete with funding for schools.  Various budget amendments are currently in play that seek to provide increased funding for specific portions of the education budget and caucus members were urged to support them.

Delegate Barry Knight commented, "This was a very productive caucus meeting and it was a great display of our  elected leaders working together so effectively to benefit the Hampton Roads region."  

Click a link to see the materials that were presented at the meeting:

Letter from Virginia's Urban Crescent

2016 HRTPO/HRPDC Legislative Priorities

Hampton Roads Regional Transportation Priority Projects Map

Passenger Rail Service to Hampton Roads

Photos from Regional Day at the General Assembly on January 28, 2016.