COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

HOUSE OF DELEGATES
RICHMOND

TIM HUGO

SCOTT A. SUROVELL COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS:

POST OFFICE BOX 289 CITIES, COUNTIES AND TOWNS
MOUNT VERNON, VIRGINIA 22121 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

FORTY-FOURTH DISTRICT

February 16, 2011

*****FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*****

Contact: Christopher Bea, Legislative Assistant

DelSSurovell@house.virginia.gov
Mobile 571.643.9785

Delegate Scott Surovell today joined Congressmen Gerry Connolly in calling on Governor Bob
McDonnell to oppose the Congressional legislation proposed by the new Republican majority in the U.S.
Congress that would slash federal funding of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and to
call for additional federal funds to alleviate congestion brought by the Base Realignment and Closure
(BRAC) program. During the House of Delegates floor session, Surovell spoke of the need for additional
federal funds and in opposition to proposed cuts to Metro funding by congressional Republicans.

Yesterday, Congressman Connolly proposed legislation in Washington which would have

restored $150 million in federal safety and infrastructure improvement matching funding for Metro.
The legislation was ruled out of order by Republican House leadership.

“Yesterday’s monthly revenue report for the Commonwealth showed that Northern Virginia
was the economic powerhouse of the state, generating more revenue growth than any other area.
Metro is the rocket fuel for Northern Virginia’s economy and the source of the “surpluses” that the
General Assembly is now spending,” said Surovell. “Governor McDonnell should fight to ensure that
the federal government holds up its end of the deal,” said Surovell.

In a region already known for transportation gridlock, Surovell expressed concerns about
additional difficulties posed by federal action. “We’ve got a federally mandated disaster on the way
here in Northern Virginia,” said Surovell, referring to the Department of Defense’s BRAC program.
“BRAC is going to hit Mount Vernon and Alexandria roads like a load of bricks and we need federal funds
to help alleviate the traffic problems it will bring.”

Surovell further noted that Virginia’s Federal Delegation had been working on the issue for some
time. Last year, Congressman Jim Moran secured a $150 million earmark to fund road improvements in
Fort Belvoir which died due to political inaction in the U.S. Senate. Senator Mark Warner also passed
legislation instructing the National Academy of Science to examine whether existing federal law on the
funding of local transportation improvements around military facilities was adequate. The resulting
report, issued last week, makes several recommendations including a call for additional federal funding.

DISTRICT: (571) 249-4484 • RICHMOND: (804) 698-1044 • EMAIL: DELSSUROVELL@house.virginia.gov

 “The report is clear- the Federal government needs to live up to its responsibilities and pay for
local transportation problems it creates,” said Surovell. Surovell went on to note that he hoped
Congress would take action on the report and implement the recommendations. “We need a united
front in advocating for this change. I hope Governor McDonnell will join Congressman Connolly, myself
and all the other voices in pushing for federal responsibility and funding on transportation issues.”