News Article

Bolling: Va. Can Boost Transit Without Imposing New Taxes

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Richmond Times Dispatch

Virginia should spend "significantly more" money on transportation, Lt. Gov.-elect Bill Bolling said yesterday.

Thanks to billions in expected new tax revenues, the state should be able to allocate "hundreds of millions of dollars per year" to building a "transportation system for the 21st century," Republican Bolling said yesterday.

And the state can do that without imposing new taxes and still adequately fund the core programs of state government, the state senator from Hanover County said at a news conference in his new office in the Oliver Hill Building.

The most important issue facing the new administration is acting to brace Virginia's overloaded and underfunded transportation system -- primarily based on its 57,000 miles of highways -- Bolling said.

He did not present any details on providing money for transportation.

Bolling said he would join Democratic Gov.-elect Timothy M. Kaine at Kaine's forums on transportation here and in Manassas next week.

Bolling said he would resign his Senate seat on Nov. 29, after his election is certified, with his resignation effective at the end of the year.

Del. Ryan T. McDougle, R-Hanover, is expected to announce his candidacy for the 4th District Senate seat on Wednesday.

If McDougle, an attorney who has Bolling's backing, should capture the Senate seat in a special election, a special election would have to be held to replace him in the House of Delegates.

Christopher K. Peace, a lobbyist with McGuireWoods Consulting and son of the late Nina K. Peace, a former Hanover County supervisor and juvenile-court judge, is considering running as a Republican for McDougle's seat.

Bolling also said he has appointed three veterans of his election campaign to posts in the office of lieutenant governor:

Randy Marcus, 28, will be Bolling's chief of staff. Marcus managed Bolling's run for the state's second-highest elected, though largely ceremonial, office, and worked on the campaign staffs of President Bush and Sen. George Allen, R-Va.

Kristi Way, 28, will be his deputy chief of staff. Way also was Bolling's deputy campaign manager. She had worked for U.S. Rep. Eric I. Cantor, R-7th.

Denise Burch, 39, will be Bolling's director of constituent services. She has served as his legislative assistant for the past three years and was a confidential assistant for Gov. Jim Gilmore.

In addition, Bolling said he will hold gatherings around the state between Jan. 7 and Jan. 14 to give his supporters a chance to participate in celebrating his inauguration.

For additional information contact Randy Marcus at 804-786-2078 or 804-814-7117 (cell) or randy.marcus@governor.virginia.gov.