Del. Luke E. Torian's bill to help extend Metrorail to Woodbridge is done for the current session of the General Assembly, but he's not giving up the fight.
The Woodbridge Democrat introduced legislation that would allow Prince William County to create a special tax district to finance an extension of the transit service from Springfield. That would mean presumably one or more stops in the county along Metro's Blue Line.
The House Appropriations Committee voted last week to carry the bill over to next year, but Torian hopes it might be taken up later this year if Gov. Bob McDonnell calls a special session of the legislature to address state transportation woes.
Also, Del. Joe T. May, a Leesburg Republican who chairs the Appropriations' transportation subcommittee, recommended the bill be discussed by a commission McDonnell is setting up on reforming and restructuring state government.
"I look forward to working with the governor and his commission in order to put forth a stronger bill," Torian said in a prepared statement earlier this week. "I also look forward to bringing more stakeholders to the table to work together on a comprehensive solution to our transportation problems."
Thelma Drake, director of the state Department of Rail and Public Transportation, said Friday that there is talk that a special session could be called sometime between May and June. The session would address transportation or government reform.
Extending Metro was part of Torian's campaign platform last fall, and it was one of the dominant issues in another race won by Del. Richard L. Anderson of Woodbridge.
Torian and former Del. Paul F. Nichols, a Democrat, supported the extension, while their Republican opponents -- including Anderson -- weren't sold on the idea.
As it is written now, Torian's bill is based on legislation that was successful in getting a Metro extension to Dulles approved.
It says landowners in the area where the rail service would extend would have to pay extra taxes on their land, but the tax district wouldn't be created unless the property owners petitioned the county supervisors.
The legislation also says that no taxes would be levied unless the federal government pledged at least $3 billion for the project.
Staff writer Jonathan Hunley can be reached at 703-369-5738. Staff writer Uriah A. Kiser contributed to this story.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement