Bob McDonnell to begin statewide tour in Salem, Roanoke

Gov. Bob McDonnell is kicking off a weeklong, statewide tour in Salem and Roanoke today to highlight the state's progress under his administration.

McDonnell plans to highlight his transportation funding compromise, which includes a plan to bring Amtrak passenger train service to Roanoke, as well as statewide declines in unemployment, new open space conservation agreements, record farm exports and education reforms.

"Over the past three and a half years, through bipartisan cooperation, Virginia has taken tremendous steps forward," McDonnell said.

"We broke a nearly three-decade-long standstill on transportation funding," he said, adding that the plan adds nearly $6 billion to road and rail projects over the next five years.

Budget surpluses have more than doubled the state's Rainy Day Fund, while state government employees received their first pay increase in six years, he said.

McDonnell also plans to discuss increased slots for Virginia students at state colleges and universities.

The governor plans to start at Salem's Andrew Lewis Middle School at 1 p.m. today, with an announcement about grant awards. He will be in Roanoke at 2:45 p.m. to talk about Amtrak service, and will continue to Bristol in the evening. He will be in Bristol, Breaks and Galax on Saturday, and in Lynchburg, Danville and Martinsville on Monday, before traveling on to Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia later in the week.

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