Transportation Platform

We, the Virginia Young Democrats, affirm our belief in the integral role transportation infrastructure plays in our commonwealth and country and recognize the direct impact transportation policies have on the quality of life and future opportunities open to young Virginians.

We acknowledge that traffic and congestion impact Virginia's growing economy and Virginians' quality of life. We commend Governor Tim Kaine's efforts to secure a stable long-term revenue stream and for his continued commitment to long range planning and vision with regard to the state's transportation projects, and recognize that our state leaders must do more to meet the state's current and future infrastructure needs, by supporting improved and expanded public transportation in urban, suburban, exurban and rural regions as a way to expand economic growth, and increase job opportunities for young people.

We recognize that Virginia needs to increase investments in alternative modes of transportation such as high-speed freight and passenger rail, telecommuting, car and vanpooling, and other forms of ridesharing, and encourage commuter use of these alternatives. We acknowledge that in the face of rising gasoline prices and increased congestion on Virginia roads, public transit is a wise financial investment that will help working Virginians save money, reduce the burden on Virginia's aging roads, and ensure that Virginians from all walks of life spend less time commuting, and more time with their families and friends.

We believe Virginia should practice smart growth concepts, specifically the tying of land-use planning and development to transportation projects around the state. We applaud Governor Kaine for the numerous initiatives to connect land-use and transportation planning introduced during his term in office. Further, we acknowledge the multiple benefits of smart land use policies: reducing traffic, maintaining open space, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, decreasing the amount of harmful emissions released into the atmosphere by automobiles, and encouraging sustainable, livable communities. To that end, we support traffic impact statements to provide better information to local decision makers when they consider rezoning requests, as well as access management standards to allow the roads we have invested in to continue to function well. We support innovative land use policies because we recognize that we cannot simply pave our way out of traffic congestion, and that the transportation decisions made today will impact our generation.

Do you agree? If so, Pledge to Vote for Democrats on November 4!