HomeMy Public PortalAbout2003_11_12_r153 2004 Legislative ProgramThe Town of
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RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION:
PRESENTED
2 0 0 3-1 5 3 ADOPTED
ADOPTING A 2004 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
November 12, 2003
November 12, 2003
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council have identified legislative items that are in the best interest of
the citizens of the Town of Leesburg; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council desires to communicate these items to the elected officials
representing Leesburg to be addressed by the 2004 General Assembly.
THEREFORE, RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Leesburg in Virginia that the
following legislative priorities are hereby established and are to be communicated to the elected officials
representing Leesburg:
1. Fund Roads. Fund the Sycolin Road/Route 7/15 Bypass Widening Project, Route 7
Interchange Improvements at River Creek Parkway, Battlefield Parkway, and White Gate, and
Route 15 Bypass Interchange Improvements at Edwards Ferry Road. These roads are burdened
with major regional traffic. Funding construction of these projects will substantially improve the
transportation system of the region.
2. Fund Park and Ride Lots. Fund adequate park and ride lots to assist Loudoun and Leesburg
commuters.
3. Protect the Authority of Towns. Oppose any narrowing of local government authority, such as
taxation or land use regulation, and oppose any action to restrict current local revenue sources.
The General Assembly and executive branch (or Governor) should continue to recognize towns
as essential units of local government, with important roles in providing services. Towns should
have clear and full authority to act in a timely manner on matters that protect public health,
safety and welfare.
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RESOLUTION: ADOPTING A 2004 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
4. Fund Bus Rapid Transit. Fund a Bus Rapid Transit System connecting Leesburg and Western
Loudoun County with the Dulles Corridor. The Town supports establishing BRT service west
of Leesburg with a station in the Route 7/Route 9 corridor and a station in Leesburg adjacent to
the Dulles Greenway.
5. Designate Leesburg as a voting member of the Northern Virginia Transportation
Authority. In 2001, the General Assembly approved a new regional transportation authority
charged with planning and developing an "integrated and efficient transportation system". With
respect to regional projects, the authority has been empowered to issue bonds, recommend
funding priorities, and allocate funds. The four counties and five cities of the region are granted
voting memberships. Leesburg as well as Dumfries, Herndon, and Vienna were given advisory
board status. Leesburg deserves full voting rights based on its population and level of
transportation responsibilities.
6. Share income tax revenue with localities including towns. Leesburg supports state income tax
revenue sharing with towns according to the Virginia Municipal League "50/40/10" Plan. With
respect to sharing other tax proceeds such as sales tax, the General Assembly should abandon
the formula based on the triennial school census in favor of one based on relative share of the
population.
7. Fund a bridge crossing of the Potomac River. The General Assembly should take a
leadership role in establishing a new bridge crossing of the Potomac River between Point Of
Rocks Bridge and the American Legion Bridge. This would relieve traffic pressure, especially
from large trucks, along the Route 15 corridor through Leesburg.
8. Support the Citizens Tax Commission recommendations regarding Virginia's State and
Local Tax Structure for the 21st Century. Leesburg supports the commission's findings that:
(1) state should increase substantially its support for operational and capital costs for local
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RESOLUTION: ADOPTING A 2004 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
school divisions; (2) state should assume full operational cost for provision of state and federal
mandated services or functions, including the Comprehensive Services Act, public health,
Community Services Boards, local and regional jails, and local social services departments; (3)
state should return a share of state income tax to localities to broaden their revenue base and
decrease dependence on the real estate tax; (4) state should participate in the Streamlined Sales
Tax Project designed to standardize state sales and use tax provisions, review all current
exemptions to sales and use tax, and extend the tax to services; (5) taxing authority of counties
should be made commensurate to that of cities; (6) state should review tax exempt status granted
to all non-governmental property and the restrictions that limit the service charges that may be
applied to tax-exempt property; (7) localities should retain authority to impose the merchants'
capital and BPOL taxes; and (8) localities should be granted increased opportunity to collaborate
in regional economic development activities.
9. Support the Widening of Interstate 66. The town supports the widening of 1-66 to help
address the region's long-term transportation needs.
10. Support the Legislative Program of the Virginia Municipal League. The town generally
supports the positions adopted by the League.
PASSED this 12th day of November 2003.
ATTEST:
(fferk of Council
R03: Legislative Agenda 2004
Town of Leesburg