HAMPTON ROADS, Va. — State Sen. Louise Lucas has always been adamant — no toll relief, no northern Virginia arena.
“I said when I got re-elected, and I became chair of the Senate Finance Appropriations, it is time for Hampton Roads to get its fair share,” Lucas said, “and I want to start with those tolls, plain and simple.”
Lucas then went to Richmond and put $92 million in the Senate budget for toll relief, only to be topped by Youngkin, who floated the possibility of $322 million for toll relief.
“I’m committed. I’m committed to making sure that we have some solution that works,” Youngkin told 10 On Your Side in January. “And I will tell you, Senator Lucas, I think, is committed to making sure that she delivers something, and so that is that. It is a very, very constructive discussion, and a discussion that I look forward to showing as being representative of how we get things done in Richmond.”
Portsmouth City Councilman Bill Moody is very much aware of the discussions ongoing about toll relief.
“I would hope that would occur,” Moody said. “I know Senator Lucas has made it a point that we don’t get toll relief, then no arena in Northern Virginia, and I support that. You know, those tolls are hurting the citizens of Portsmouth and Hampton Roads. I think there was a study that said 60% of the people live in one city and work in another. So, it impacts all of Hampton Roads, particularly Portsmouth and Norfolk.”
Moody knows hundreds of millions of dollars in toll relief means, instead of relief for just those making less than $40,000, that number could go to those making less than $50,000.
“Well, that would mean more of a benefit for a larger cross-section of our citizens,” Moody said. “So, any relief for working men and women and students going through the tunnel means a lot.”
During 10 On Your Side’s January interview with Lucas, we asked her if she could get as much as $500 million to relieve tolls?
“Well, it doesn’t hurt for me to start asking for it,” she said at the time.
Said Moody: “I would like to see a total buyout of the agreement. That’s not going to happen. $300 and some million in toll relief would be significant.”
Moody is also watching the newfound clout of Portsmouth Del. Don Scott as Speaker of the House of Delegates, and Lucas as the chairwoman of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee.
“They can control the fate of the Northern Virginia arena supported by governor Youngkin,” Moody said. “They can control that, the two of them working together, which they can do to control the amount of toll relief that we are going to get.”
Youngkin’s office sent 10 On Your Side this statement about the Arena Sports and Entertainment District:
“While the administration will not comment on private conversations or specific proposals, Governor Youngkin remains committed to working with the General Assembly to create the Sports and Entertainment District that will fund shared priorities across Virginia. The Governor remains open to providing permanent toll relief for the tunnels between Portsmouth and Norfolk from the revenue created from this monumental opportunity.”
Christian Martinez — Press secretary for Gov. Glenn Youngkin
When asked whether Youngkin is making toll relief dependent on arena revenue or whether toll relief has its own budget line?
The answer? The administration will not comment.
For now, Moody is in a wait-and-see mode.
“Let’s see what happens,” Moody said. “As you know, politics can change on a dime, so let’s see what the final figure is.”
Back in January, 10 On Your Side pushed Youngkin about his message, and we summed it up this way:
WAVY-TV: “So really your message is you have for Hampton Roads and our area is, I get it. I understand it, and we are going to make something happen.”
To which Youngkin responded, “You got it, Andy.”
