Governor Bob McDonnell Designates May 14th as Transportation Day in Virginia. This is in conjunction with the recognition by congress of National Transportation Week. National Transportation Week, which falls the week of the third Friday in May, was designated by Congress in 1962 to celebrate the importance of the nation's transportation network and the professionals who build, operate and maintain these vital arteries.

The Virginia General Assembly, reconvening Wednesday for a one-day session to consider legislation vetoed or amended by Gov. Robert F. McDonnell, gave its final approval to a landmark transportation-funding plan that the governor said would raise nearly $6 billion over five years.

The GOP-led House of Delegates and the evenly divided Senate backed several suggested changes from the governor, including a reduced fee on hybrid cars and technical changes intended to ensure that the bill’s provisions to raise additional taxes in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads would pass constitutional muster.

The General Assembly has adopted a new roads map provided by Gov. Bob McDonnell for raising billions of dollars to pay for transportation improvements across Virginia, but especially in traffic-clogged Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads.

The House of Delegates and Senate upheld amendments the governor proposed to ensure that a package of statewide and regional tax increases for transportation survives legal challenge.

After 15 years, Sen. Harry Blevins is leaving the General Assembly.

The soft-spoken Chesapeake Republican said Wednesday he’ll retire in August with two years left on his term, setting up a special election to replace him.

He’s one of several lawmakers who’ve recently declared plans to leave the legislature, departures that drain years of experience from state government, and from Hampton Roads in particular.