The Virginia Coalition for Smarter Growth has released a press release on today's rally with Gov. Tim Kaine. In addition to the Coalition, the rally was sponsored by the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, the Piedmont Environmental Council, and the Virginia Conservation Network. Also attending were Democratic and Republican legislators, as disparate as Brian Moran (D) and Bob Marshall (R). As Marshall said - and I swear, this may be the only time I approvingly quote Bob Marshall on this blog! - "Paying for development is neither a Democrat issue nor a Republican issue; it is an economic justice issue. Those who create debt should pay the debt." Clay Athey, the Republican House Policy Chair, added, ?We need better land use planning, make Virginia DOT more responsive to the people and a package of transportation and land use measures." For his part, Brian Moran said, ?To address our transportation crisis, Virginia needs to adopt sensible and responsible growth policies."
Finally, the Coalition for Smarter Growth pointed out that several bills are crucial: HB1542/SB373, HB1609, and HB1610. These bills permit transfer of development rights, require traffic impact studies for proposed projects, and increase the power of local governments to reject rezoning if the local roads are not adequate. I join with Gov. Kaine and Coalition for Smarter Growth in urging the General Assembly to pass these bills ASAP.