Will Hamilton Bill Pass Muster in Senate?

July 9, 2008 by Cato  
Filed under Taxes, Transportation, Virginia, Virginia Politics

It seems that the Daily Press’s Shad Plank is literally live blogging the Virginia General Assembly’s special session. After 10PM we learn that a bill sponsored by my old friend, Del. Phil Hamilton (R-Newport News) has passed the House.

Hamilton’s bill would take a portion of future tax revenue from the ports and put it into transportation projects. Given that a great deal of the need for new roads in Hampton Roads is related to port activity, this appears to be a sensible solution.

Unfortunately, the Senate Dems aren’t used to being sensible. Taxes appear to be their answer to almost everything. We’ll have to see if Hamilton’s solution can pass muster with a group that doesn’t seem ashamed by the term “tax and spend”.

UPDATE: The guys at Virginia Virtucon are reporting that the bill that passed was not Phil Hamilton’s but a floor substitute from Del. Glenn Oder (R-Newport News). The House must be really rocking tonight.