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sluDgE
Moderator
1563 Posts |
 Posted - 03/24/2009 : 13:35:13
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Someone asked in another thread of messages when the current hybrid exemption to use the HOV lanes expires.
The latest appears to be that both houses of the 2009 session of the Virginia Legislature have passed a bill to extend the current hybird exemption to use HOV lanes SOV until mid-2010. (See website http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?091+sum+HB2476 ). The website shows the House voted 93 "for" and 5 "opposed" on Feb 2nd, and the Senate vote was 36 "for" and 2 "against" on Feb 26th.
The next step in the process is the bill goes to the Governor where he either approves, vetos, or offers amendments.
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Edited by - sluDgE on 03/24/2009 13:38:24 |
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LOL
New Member
5 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2009 : 15:20:23
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| Predictable. Easier to let the toll lanes take care of the exemption. |
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Jeffrey Bell
Starting Member
4 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2011 : 10:38:50
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The 2011 session is getting ready to vote on house bill #1432 and house bill #1754 to extend the exemption for SOV hybrids with clean special fuel license plates until July 2012. Please email the delegates listed below to request that they vote against this extension. We need to get these single-occupant vehicles OUT of the HOV lanes!
Delegate Thomas "Tag" Greason (Loudon County) (introduced HB 1432): deltgreason@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Kenneth Plum (Reston) (introduced HB 1754): delkplum@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn (Springfield):delefiller-corn@house.virginia.gov |
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Zum
Starting Member
1 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2011 : 08:39:59
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Jeff Frederick is the delegate in Woodbridge.
ZumZum |
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smithma
Average Member
63 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2011 : 08:43:15
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Here's the response I got from Dave Albo:
"Thank you for writing in opposition to an extension of the HOV Clean Fuel Plate Exemption. Del. Thomas Greason has introduced HB 1432, which is officially summarized:
HOV lanes; use by vehicle with clean special fuel license plates. Extends until July 1, 2012, the sunset on use of HOV lanes by clean special fuel vehicles, regardless of the number of occupants.
This bill is currently awaiting a hearing in the Committee on Transportation. Because I do not serve on that committee, I will not be able to affect the bill’s progress unless it reaches the floor of the House of Delegates. However, if it does so, you may be sure that I will take your views into consideration. If you would like to track the progress of HB 1432, or any other bill, you may do so through my website, www.davealbo.com. Just click “Track Legislation” and type in the bill number.
Again, I appreciate you taking the time to write. I always enjoy hearing from my constituents, so if you have any more comments, questions, or concerns, I encourage you to contact me again."
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Edited by - smithma on 01/25/2011 08:43:50 |
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Jody
Advanced Member
347 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2011 : 11:22:18
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Over the years I've emailed Dave Albo about opposing the exemption and have gotten the same non-committal response. Corey Stewart has been an advocate for the slug system. Albo; not so much.
The VA legislature will not drop the hybrid exemption until the HOT lanes are built on 395. Because SOVs will buy their way onto the HOT lanes, the hybrid exemption will be difficult to justify if SOVs are paying and hybrid drivers are not. The HOT lanes will not be moving at 65 MPH (Flour/Transurban has already admitted they will not be able to maintain the speed limit on HOV with the influx of SOV drivers). Hybrid drivers will, however, have the same option as other drivers - have 3 people in their car and they will not be charged the toll.
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smithma
Average Member
63 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2011 : 18:06:34
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Found the voting history for last years bill that extended it to 2011.
ALBO voted for the extension!
HB 214 HOV lanes; extends date for use by vehicle with clean special fuel license plates.
floor: 01/26/10 House: VOTE: --- PASSAGE (78-Y 17-N)
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YEAS--Abbitt, Albo, Alexander, Armstrong, Athey, Bell, Richard P., Bell, Robert B., Brink, Bulova, Byron, Carrico, Cleaveland, Cline, Comstock, Cosgrove, Cox, J.A., Cox, M.K., Crockett-Stark, Dance, Ebbin, Edmunds, Englin, Greason, Griffith, Herring, Hope, Howell, A.T., Hugo, Iaquinto, Ingram, James, Janis, Johnson, Jones, Keam, Kilgore, Knight, Landes, LeMunyon, Lewis, Lohr, Loupassi, Marshall, D.W., Marshall, R.G., Massie, May, McClellan, Merricks, Miller, J.H., Miller, P.J., Morefield, Morgan, Nutter, O'Bannon, Oder, Orrock, Peace, Phillips, Plum, Pogge, Pollard, Putney, Rust, Scott, E.T., Scott, J.M., Sherwood, Shuler, Sickles, Stolle, Surovell, Tata, Toscano, Tyler, Ward, Ware, O., Ware, R.L., Watts, Wright--78.
NAYS--BaCote, Barlow, Carr, Cole, Garrett, Gear, Gilbert, Joannou, Lingamfelter, McQuinn, Morrissey, Nixon, Poindexter, Purkey, Spruill, Villanueva, Mr. Speaker--17.
ABSTENTIONS--0.
NOT VOTING--Abbott, Anderson, Kory, Torian--4.
Delegate Howell, W.J. recorded as nay. Intended to vote yea.
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NoSUV
Advanced Member
1076 Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2011 : 07:51:47
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I've discussed this many times with both my delegate and my state senator. Both have indicated that there is as much chance for the exemption NOT to pass as there is for a sensible and progressive measure to end the HOV exemption and turn the lanes back into what they first were - express lanes for buses only. Even when I point out that getting rid of HOV and only exempting hybrids would lead to a boost in the economy similar to the taxpayer subsidized "cash for clunkers", cleans up the environment by 30%, improves fuel consumption and lessons the demand for foreign oil, and provides a sustainable source of revenue for transportation with the bus fees.
Anyone remember the transportation funding issues of the early 1970s? Seems like turning the express lanes into HOV became Virginia's equivalent to California's Proposition 13 - really good in the short term but a complete mess a few decades later. |
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HOVME
New Member
20 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2011 : 10:09:47
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HB 1432 overwhelmingly passed the House by 90 to 8 January 31, 2011. Its companion Senate bill is in Committee with a positive impact statement. Last year the Senate unanimously passed the hybrid exemption by 40 to 0. Odds seem quite high the exemption will be extended through June 30, 2012.
HOVME |
Edited by - HOVME on 02/01/2011 10:19:41 |
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RetiredMarine
Average Member
98 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2011 : 11:17:42
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| The sad part is this doesn't help the system it hurts the system. We need to remove the exemption. |
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NoSUV
Advanced Member
1076 Posts |
Posted - 02/03/2011 : 16:51:59
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Actually, it is a FAR bigger help to the "system" than slugging - unless you narrowly define the system as slugging.
If slugging were eliminated while allowing hybrids to use the express lanes during peak commuting hours:
- slugs would probably have to use buses
- there would be less congestion (HOV-33 is better than HOV-3)
- the air would be cleaner
- fuel consumption would lower
- gas prices would be lower
- the economy would improve (just like cash for clunkers, but with no taxpayer subsidy)
THAT'S why the grandfathered expemption always passes with a HUGE majority - it just makes sense! |
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smithma
Average Member
63 Posts |
Posted - 02/03/2011 : 19:50:10
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[quote]Originally posted by NoSUV
HUH?
- there would be less congestion (HOV-33 is better than HOV-3)
- the air would be cleaner
- fuel consumption would lower
Then getting rid of SOV Hybrids would be even better!
- gas prices would be lower
- the economy would improve (just like cash for clunkers, but with no taxpayer subsidy)
These make no sense whatsoever! |
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RetiredMarine
Average Member
98 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2011 : 14:03:50
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| How does having single riding Hybrids help reduce traffic? |
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NoSUV
Advanced Member
1076 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2011 : 10:27:15
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| How is carpooling better than using mass transit? |
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RetiredMarine
Average Member
98 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2011 : 12:10:01
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Well unlike most federal employees I have to pay for mass transit. Since I am the one paying I pick the cheapest route. When I drive I pick up three others.
Yes mass transit is better than car pooling. Now with that said you would also have to agree that a single riding Hybrids cause more traffic not less. So I am glad to see you would like the Hybrid exemption removed as well. Thank you for your support on this effort.
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RetiredMarine
Average Member
98 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2011 : 12:41:42
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For thos ewho would like the help remove the exemption please write Senator Houck. senatorhouck@comcast.net
here is what I received from him today.
Thank you for passing along your comments on this bill. It has yet to make it to the Senate, but I will keep your comments in mind should it make it over here.
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Hybrid HOV Exemption Extension?
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