RICHMOND - Since Governor Bob McDonnell announced plans for transportation funding less than one month ago, the Virginia Petroleum Convenience and Grocery Association has reviewed the plan and analyzed the fiscal impact on the association??s members and Virginia consumers. After careful deliberations, the VPCGA issued the following statement:

"VPCGA recognizes that a deficit exists in the Virginia Department of Transportation??s budget as the result of slated new construction dollars being shifted instead to road maintenance, as is mandated by Virginia Code. Should this continue, it will eventually impact the productivity of our membership and other Virginia businesses, and affect the quality of life for many Virginians.

To address this, VPCGA supports increasing Virginia's gasoline tax from 17.5 to 23.5 cents during the 2013 General Assembly session, with the change to become effective on July 1, 2013.

VPCGA recognizes that new federal mandates on fuel efficiency standards will likely result in declining fossil fuel consumption across the Commonwealth over the long term. VPCGA commits to working with all impacted stakeholders in an effort to develop consensus legislation for the 2014 General Assembly session that adjusts Virginia's cents per gallon rate along the biennial state budget, to accomodate the increase in federal gasoline efficiency standards for all passenger vehicles."