Senate Puts Breaks On Governor’s Transportation Plan

The State Senate has defeated Governor McDonnell’s transportation proposal, voting Tuesday night to recommit the legislation to the Senate Finance Committee. The bill would transfer much of the funding for future transportation projects from the gas tax, which would be eliminated, to the retail sales tax, which would rise by nearly a penny. The Governor’s hopes now rest with legislation approved by the House of Delegates Tuesday morning. But finding common ground that a majority of members in the House and Senate can support will be a major challenge.