Catalog of Failure

By: Lowell
Published On: 7/10/2008 7:28:25 AM

The following represents just a brief sampling (from this morning's papers, primarily) of the transportation special session's unmitigated catalog of failure. Enjoy! :)

Washington Post: "Partisan Bickering Kills Va. Roads Bill"

Most absurd line of article: "Despite nothing getting done, both Republicans and Democrats said the session was worth it."

News & Advance: "Transportation agreement eludes General Assembly"

Extreme ideology over results: "'With today's actions in the House of Delegates, Virginia taxpayers can rest easy that Democrats have failed, at least for this session, in their relentless efforts to raise the gas tax and a host of other regressive taxes,' said House Speaker William J. Howell, R-Stafford"

ABC TV 7 News: One Virginia Roads Bill Dies; Other Votes Pending

How true: "'I do not believe it was either courteous or efficient to the operation of this government for a bill to be handled in the manner in which it was handled today,' said House Minority Leader Ward L. Armstrong, D-Henry County and the sponsor of the bill."

Richmond Times-Dispatch: "Roads session resolves nothing"

Statement by Tim Kaine blames Republicans:

The House and Senate Democrats rose to the challenge and came together to move Virginia closer to a meaningful transportation solution. But House Republican leadership, once again, stood in the way, rejecting legislation that originated in the Senate. The citizens of Virginia deserved better.

Free Lance-Star: "ASSEMBLY REJECTS GAS-TAX INCREASE"

Ah, isn't this grand:

"You want to embarrass the governor," said House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong, D-Henry. "You want to embarrass us by making us vote on a bill that was relevant 10 days ago."

Republicans denied that charge. "This is not gamesmanship. But you got what you asked for," said Del. Terry Kilgore, R-Scott.

Question to Del. Kilgore: when you say "you got what you asked for," does that include the citizens of Virginia who will be stuck in worsening gridlock (and crumbling roads, and collapsing bridges) for years to come?  Just curious.

Comments



Different treatment for Hampton vs NoVa (Teddy - 7/10/2008 6:07:26 PM)
For Hampton Roads they would indeed take money out of the general fund in one form or another. When it came to NoVa, though, they wanted to force our local elected officials (most of whom are Democrats) to run a referendum to set up a regional tax system. Naturally, the NoVa officials objected in a letter (I noticed, however, that the Mayor of Fairfax City, Lederer, who is a Republican and a friend of Tom Davis, did not apparently sign the letter. Hmmm. The frustration level in NoVa is approaching the boiling point, and I once again hear rumblings about seceding (facetious, I suppose). Why not do a rent-strike, withhold a suitable portion of our taxes from Richmond to cover the transportation funding for which they wanted us to pass new regional taxes? Naturally, Richmond would sue us, as they should, in the meantime we could make a point while they hobbled along without our money.... Oh well, it's a nice fantasy, anyway.