Virginia Democrats Oppose Plan To Use Sales Tax For Roads

Northern Virginia needs more roads, and the question remains how the commonwealth can fund their construction. Democrats in the General Assembly are at odds with Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell over at least one proposal.

Gov. Mcdonnell is asking the state legislature to divert $48 million of sales tax revenue to pay for roads. Northern Virginia Democratic Del. Bob Brink says his party will try to block that plan.

"The reason is the sales tax goes into what's called the general fund, and this is the source of funding for vital services," Brink says. "Eighty percent of it goes to education, health care and public safety, and I think that raiding the fund to finance transportation is the wrong way to go."

McDonnell has yet to unveil any details of his plan to raise an additional $500 million annually to fund transportation. That could include new tax revenues like raising the gas tax, but the governor has refused to reveal specifics.