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Regional & State
Briefing
Congressman
Goodlatte - Federal Government Drowning in Red Ink
Earlier this
month, Congressman Bob
Goodlatte (R-6th District) addressed several important
federal issues impacting the region's business community at a breakfast hosted by the Roanoke Regional Chamber. Goodlatte
expressed concern about rising federal deficits and used
several colorful examples to illustrate the severity of the problem.
Ultimately, Washington will not be
able to solve these structural budgetary problems without a
fundamental shift in American political culture. According to
Congressman Goodlatte, Americans must
reorient their view on the role of the federal government. The
political will to begin an honest and substantive dialogue on
how to reduce government spending, including cuts to many sacred cow
programs that have previously been off limits, will not be
initiated by business as usual in Washington.
For a firmer grasp on the current
fiscal imbalance, the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget
has created a simulator that allows users to test a range
of scenarios for reducing government debt. To access this
interesting simulation, click here.
Intermodal
Facility
The legal battle
over the proposed Intermodal facility in eastern Montgomery
County took an interesting turn this month when the Virginia
State Supreme Court announced it would review a lower court
decision which would have allowed state funds to be used to
construct the facility. According to The Roanoke Times,
the court could hear arguments as early as November. (see more here)
In addition to its economic benefits, a Virginia Department of
Rail and Public Transportation analysis found that the Elliston
intermodal project would reduce shipping times to the Midwest
and truck traffic on Virginia's already clogged interstate
highways. Opponents question the economic impact of the project
and contend that tax dollars cannot be used to develop a private
entity. (see more here)
Position:
The Chamber has long supported the Intermodal facility in
our region as part of the Heartland Corridor.
Uptick in State
Revenues
State tax collections grew for the second straight month in
April, marking the first two month increase since March and
April 2008. Corporate income tax collections were up 38.7 % and
sales-tax receipts increased 7.3%. However, revenue collections
for the year continue to lag behind expectations. (see more here)
Primary
Season
Although the 2010 Congressional
elections are still months away, several intriguing spring
primary contests are drawing considerable attention. While each
of these Congressional races are shaped by unique circumstances,
observers are carefully analyzing the results of these contests
as they construct their narratives for the midterm
election:
What is the mood of the
electorate?
Will anti-incumbent sentiment impact both parties equally?
To what extent are the 2010 midterm elections a referendum on
the Obama Administration/Democratic majorities?
Will local issues/concerns trump attempts to nationalize these
contests?
5th
District
Seven Republican hopefuls are vying for the opportunity to
face Democrat Tom Perriello in this central and Southside district. The most well-known of these candidates,
State Senator Robert Hurt, appears to be leading this
crowded field in advance of the June 8th primary. (see more here)
Key Questions: Will the
coalition that helped Perriello eke out a victory in 2008 be
energized in an adverse political environment? Could a third
party candidate play the role of spoiler? (see more here)
6th
District
Republican Congress Bob Goodlatte (see
above) is running unopposed.
9th Congressional District
Last weekend, Republican H. Morgan Griffith prevailed
in a six man race to challenge long-time incumbent Rick Boucher.
No political novice, Griffith has served in the House of
Delegates since 1994 and was elected Majority Leader after
Republicans won a majority in 1999. Boucher has represented the
9th district since 1983 and has handily defeated every
opponent since his first re-election bid in 1984. Key Questions: How does Griffith
increase his name recognition in such a vast district? Can
Boucher justify his controversial vote in favor
of cap-and-trade legislation in a coal heavy region of the
state?
Offshore
Drilling Update
In response to the
ecological nightmare unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico, the Obama
Administration cancelled a proposed lease sale of oil and gas
deposits off of Virginia's coast.(see more here
and here)
The cancellation follows a suspension of the lease sale
announced earlier this month. In April, Governor McDonnell signed legislation (HB756)
that would have allowed Virginia to become the first state on the East
coast to collect future royalties from offshore oil and natural
gas resources. A majority of the revenue and royalties from the
lease sales would have flowed into the state's Transportation
Trust Fund. (see more here)
Stat of the Month: 340 out of 100,000.
See more here
Local
Government Briefing
Roanoke
County
After several work sessions and many rounds of tinkering
with the language, the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors gave
the green light on Tuesday to a new noise ordinance. The Chamber
worked with member businesses and met with county officials to
ensure the new measure would not negatively impact normal
business activities in commercial or industrial zoning
districts.
Botetourt
County
Earlier this month, a stakeholders group of representatives
from the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors, the local
business community, VDOT officials and engineers approved a fix
to one of the regions most snarled interchanges. Much needed
changes could be on the way to Exit 150 where I-81 meets Route
220 near Daleville. The $20 plus million design includes a
roundabout to be constructed to improve traffic flow onto Route
11 and the closure of the Travel Centers of America truck stop.
Another northbound entrance ramp to I-81 would also be
constructed off of Route 11. The design concept must be reviewed
by the Federal Highway Administration with construction
beginning in two years. (see more here)
For a look at the Access Management Plan, click here.
Quality of Life Projects Briefing
One
of the Chamber's priorities is to monitor the development of
quality of life projects in our region. Enhancing our
region's considerable amenities is vital to attracting and
retaining young workers, fresh capital, and innovative thinking.
Below is a list of recent developments:
Market
Building Closing in September- A Downtown Alternative Emerges?
On September 6, the Roanoke City Market Building will close to
the public so highly publicized renovations can finally get
underway. Construction is expected to last around 10 months. As
vendors make preparations to leave the downtown landmark, a
recently announced development a few blocks away could be an
attractive new home for at least some of the vendors. Recently,
John Garland of Spectrum
Design announced renovation plans to 16 West Church Avenue,
the former home of Downtown Sports Club. In his pitch to market
vendors, Garland stated that new vendor stalls could be up and
running by September. Tentative plans for the development also
include a pharmacy, grocery store, fitness center, and
residential living. For more information, see here
and here.
In other downtown restaurant news, the City Council continues to
grapple with a proposal to allow outdoor food vendors to set up
shop near traditional brick and mortar establishments. At
a recent public hearing on the issue, several downtown restaurateurs
expressed concern about the potential impact outdoor vending
could have on their bottom lines, especially on top of the
pending 2 cent meals tax increase. The City has created a page
on Facebook for public comment. (see more here)
Another briefing on the proposed ordinance is scheduled for June
7th.
A
Splashy Debut
The Splash Valley Water Park opened earlier this week at the
Green Ridge Recreation Center. The water park features two 34
foot slides, a current river, and several other family
amenities. For more information, click here.
Center
in the Square
Because of the difficult economic climate, the planned make
over of downtown Roanoke's Center in the Square remains on hold
as negotiations with lending institutions continue. (see
more here)
The $27 million renovation, 2/3rds of which would be paid for
with historic tax credits, would begin with a remodeling of the
Center on Church Avenue facility, followed by a yearlong
overhaul to the building on Campbell Avenue. The conceptual
design includes a restoration of the facade's original
appearance and moving and expanding the Roanoke
Weiner Stand and Little Dipper restaurants. Plans also call for the
construction of a rooftop garden, a larger atrium, and a 5,500
gallon coral aquarium. (see more here)
A
comprehensive list of these projects can be found on the
Chamber's website.
Do
you have ideas on projects you'd like for us to follow? Send us
an e-mail or
write a comment on the Chamber's blog
on local and state public policy issues. RSS feeds are available
for both the quality of life projects page and the legislative
blog.
If
you have questions about any of the blog features on the
Chamber's Web site, please contact Tori Williams at twilliams@roanokechamber.org
Upcoming
Events
Business
After Hours, June 3, 2010, 5-7 PM, The Hotel Roanoke and
Conference Center.
Economic Summit VII, June
8, 2010, 8:00 AM - Noon, The Hotel Roanoke and Conference
Center.
Save-the-Date
- 8th
Annual Politic'n and Pig Pick'n, September 9th, 5:30 -
7:30 PM, Virginia Museum of Transportation.
For
a list of more Chamber events, click
here
and
to access the Chamber's Community
Calendar,
click here.
If
you have problems reading this newsletter, you will find a copy
on our website: www.roanokechamber.org
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