Gov. Bob McDonnell said today that he could call two special sessions sometime this year to address transportation funding and government reforms.
In an interview with reporters and editors at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, McDonnell said once the General Assembly session concludes, his administration will continue work on a transportation funding package that includes ideas put forth during the campaign in addition to new ones.
To avoid a repeat of unsuccessful attempts to forge agreement on a roads plan, he said does not intend to bring lawmakers back to town unless there is "a fairly significant consensus."
"When I have an agreement on transportation based on the work that we do in-house, if we're ready to do it this year, I'll have a special session. If not, we'll do it next session," he said.
"The key to me is having it well thought out, having a fairly significant consensus prior to going into a session and not wasting the taxpayers' money on special session that's not going to produce results."
McDonnell also said that he will evaluate the results from his government reform and restructuring commission, which he established through his second executive order, and consider a special session on that basis sometime this year.
If he deems the commission finds substantial reforms that generate "real dollars" he will ask lawmakers back, he said.
"The sooner we start to save money the better," he said, adding that when he documents any savings he can begin to plow the money back into the budget.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement