Developers In Va. Offer Impact Fees Compromise

The group had opposed the concept of impact fees for years because of fears that they would force builders to shoulder the cost of growth, which officials argued benefits everyone in a community by expanding the tax base and invigorating neighborhoods. The group reversed course recently because of rising proffer levels and a slump in the housing market.

The House's tentative decision to increase penalties for serious driving offenses came without debate. Lawmakers are expected to pass the bill Tuesday and send it to the Senate.

Among offenses included are driving under the influence, reckless driving that causes death, eluding police and hit-and-run incidents with injury.

Last year's transportation package was supported by Republicans and Democrats to avoid raising taxes to pay for millions of dollars in road and transit improvements. Both the House and Senate have passed bills repealing the abusive-driving fees, an effort supported by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D).

Del. David B. Albo (R-Fairfax), who introduced Monday's bill in the House, assured his colleagues that the new proposal "has nothing to do with abusive-driver fees" and merely increases the penalties for serious offenses.

The abusive-driver fees were supposed to raise $65 million each year for transportation. But the money raised from the new increases in penalties would be used for education, not transportation.

The House bill regulating the payday lending industry passed 91 to 7. It would limit the number of loans that borrowers can obtain each year, extend the amount of time they would have to repay loans and cap the annual interest rate lenders could charge at 36 percent, although it would allow them to charge other fees. The Senate will vote Tuesday on its own version of the bill.