Q&A:Sen. Mark Herring (D-Loudoun)

1. Do you support Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's transportation plan? If no, is there another plan you support?

I support the governor’s effort to address the transportation needs of our region and the commonwealth as a whole. I also support and have voted for the Senate transportation plan that has now passed the Senate and awaits action in the House of Delegates.

2. What legislation, if any have you introduced for Virginia's special transportation session?

I have introduced SB 6013 with Sen. Deeds, which provides a modest tax credit to incentivize people and businesses to telework more. The bill is one that I previously introduced in the last two legislative sessions and it has now passed the Senate. It is not intended to replace the other transportation plans, but rather supplement them. Alleviating traffic congestion involves more than just building more lanes and overpasses. We also need to manage growth, increase the availability of and access to transit and expand telework and flex time opportunities for businesses and their employees.

3. What do you see as the biggest transportation obstacle for Loudoun County residents right now?

Funding for road construction and transit... (because) without a significant increase in transportation revenue, we will never be able to construct other badly needed improvements, like the Leesburg Bypass, the Route 7/Route 659 overpass, widening Route 606 between Evergreen Mill Road and the Greenway, and addressing Waxpool Road between Ashburn Village Parkway and Loudoun County Parkway. Additionally, our demand for transit has increased dramatically over the last six months alone. We need to initiate new commuter transit service from places like Leesburg, Ashburn and Cascades to Reston and Herndon. We also need several park and ride lots in strategic locations around eastern Loudoun. All of these road and transit improvement needed now.

Your Thoughts...

Are you happy that the school year is over?