RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Gov. Bob McDonnell has amended the transportation funding reform bill to potentially extend regional taxing authorities beyond Virginia’s urban areas to other areas statewide in an effort to satisfy concerns about its constitutionality.
The governor’s amendments also cut the disputed $100 fee on hybrid cars to $64 a year, reduce regional increases in real estate and taxes paid on hotel stays and reduce the titling tax on vehicle purchases. McDonnell also offered 52 amendments to the state’s budget. They include changes to address constitutional concerns about whether a commission to oversee Medicaid expansion complies with the state constitution. The governor worked late into Monday night to meet the midnight deadline.