Virginia Lawmakers Ratify Transportation Bill

Virginia’s General Assembly voted to ratify the provisions in the transportation bill signed by Gov. Bob McDonnell (R), the Associated Press reported.

The House of Delegates voted 62-36 to approve the changes during a one-day reconvened session on Wednesday, while the Senate approved them by a 26-12 vote, AP said.

The transportation bill signed by McDonnell last week sets a series of changes to the state’s fuel-tax structure while ending a plan to put tolls on Interstate 95 in the state.

The package will raise more than $1 billion a year from statewide and regional funding sources to address a growing backlog of deferred highway projects.

One amendment change cuts an annual feel on hybrid and alternative-fuel cars from $100 to $64, AP reported.