Actions By Other Localities Mean Transportation
Authority Referendum Must Be Replaced By Public Hearing

May 29, 2007

When the Hampton Roads Transportation Authority was passed by the General Assembly this year and signed into law, the original intent of the Hampton City Council was to conduct an advisory referendum in November. At that time I stated that I refused to join the Authority without the approval of the citizens whose taxes will be raised to subsidize it.

However since then, the governing bodies on the Southside have changed the rules, insisting that a July date be established for localities to make their decision about endorsing the taxing properties of the Authority. If adopted by 7 of 12 communities in the Hampton Roads region the Authority will subsidize a number of regional transportation projects by imposing a series of tax and fee increases, including increases to the vehicle registration fee, the safety inspection fee, and the motor vehicle rental tax.

As the Hampton City Council feared, some cities are making this decision without the benefit of public input. Given that, it is becoming obvious that our advisory referendum in November would be too late to be effective.

Therefore, the Hampton City Council has unanimously decided to conduct a public hearing on June 13 to give our citizens an opportunity to express their views about the new taxing authority. Our intent is to let the public express their feelings, followed by a legal decision by City Council.

If you feel strongly about this issue, I urge you to participate in this public hearing on June 13.

Ross A. Kearney, II
Mayor