
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, December 5, 1993                   TAG: 9312050073
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C7   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG                                LENGTH: Short

TRANSPORTATION FUNDS LACKING, SENATORS TOLD

State officials calculate that, based on current tax rates, Virginia can afford only about half of its identified transportation needs through the year 2010.

The General Assembly needs to raise $24 billion for roads and other transportation projects over the next two decades, Senate Majority Leader Hunter Andrews, D-Hampton, told state senators at a briefing on the upcoming state budget Friday. Andrews, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said the General Assembly may need to hold a special session next year to determine how to raise the money.

State officials already foresee a need for $19 billion more for highway construction projects through the year 2010 than can be paid for by current taxes.

Legislators had considered a hike in the state gas tax to pay for road improvements. But that effort was virtually derailed this week when Gov.-elect George Allen threatened to veto any tax increases, including a gas tax.

by CNB