Gas tax fuels debate

STAUNTON — Riverheads District Supervisor Nancy Sorrells fields many calls from her constituents about the condition of Augusta County roads.
And while the 99 miles of unpaved roads in Sorrells’ district lead all county magisterial districts, she has more pressing concerns such as road maintenance.
Sorrells said her district needs VDOT to repair potholes, shoulders and perform other needed maintenance.
Sorrells thinks adding 2 cents to the state gas tax could speed up the repairs in Augusta County.
She made her plea at a Wednesday morning legislative breakfast sponsored by the Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce.
“The $100 million it would add would go straight to road maintenance,” Sorrells said.
Sorrells asked both Del. Ben Cline and Del. Steve Landes “to think hard” about increasing the gas tax.
Sorrells said she has some constituents so frustrated, they repair potholes near where they live.
“They are very frustrated,” she said. “They fix the potholes and they are tired of dodging the potholes.”
Of the unpaved roads, Sorrells said there are priority ones in her district such as one where 70 houses are located.
Cline, who represents part of Augusta County, does not favor adding to the state gas tax.
He believes increasing the gas tax would hit his constituents hard.
“The gas tax is a regressive tax that would impact rural people the most,” Cline said.
Cline said the best way for VDOT to put more money into maintenance is to become a more cost effective organization.
“VDOT is still not performing at the level satisfactory to me,” he said.
Landes said the special legislative session for transportation June 23 is a critical one.
“We have a transportation problem and how we deal with it is a challenge,” he said.
Landes said two of the biggest challenges are helping Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads with transportation.
Of Northern Virginia, Landes said the region “drives Virginia’s economy,” and said Hampton Roads is becoming a pivotal area because of the presence of the port at Norfolk.