State of the Commonwealth

Governor Bob McDonnell delivered his State of the Commonwealth address Wednesday night and asked lawmakers to overhaul the state's transportation finances and approve reforms in public education.
McDonnell has unveiled a transportation funding plan that would scrap the state's gas tax and increase the retail sales tax from 5 percent to 5.8 percent to generate revenue for roads, rail and transit. McDonnell's plan would preserve the existing tax on diesel fuel to ensure that the state collects revenue from interstate truckers.