Dedicated Metro Funding By Sales Tax Dead for 2006
By: Mary
Published On: 2/28/2006 2:00:00 AM
Hat trick to Fairfax County's Chamber of Commerce for quick reporting this morning that Metro funding by sales tax is out of play for 2006. Steady source funding died today in the House of Delegates' Transportation Committee. Northern Virginia delegates casting votes against the measure included Harry J. Parrish, Jeffrey M. Frederick and Scott Lingamfelter. When interviewed shortly afterwards on WTOP, Governor Kaine reaffirmed his dedication to identifying another source of dependable Metro financing as a part of his final negotiations as the General Assembly session winds down.
[UPDATE by Lowell: On WTOP's "Ask the Governor" program today, Kaine said metro funding is not dead. "We're going to be talking about it a lot in the next 10 days to two weeks," Kaine said.]
Comments
The reason there is (Dem Dude - 4/4/2006 11:33:12 PM)
The reason there is not enough money for Metro funding is because Northern Virginia tax dollars are spent lavishly in other parts of the state instead of on desperately needed projects in Northern Virginia.
I could go along with a quarter percent rise in the sales tax in the Northern Virginia region if the region benefited more from tax dollars then it pays out.
But with the current situation, it is unfair to try to burden the Northern Virginia tax payers with yet another tax and let the rest of the state out of also paying the tax. Especially when there is a huge surplus just sitting in the bank.
Jonathan: VA, MD, a (Reggie - 4/4/2006 11:33:12 PM)
Jonathan: VA, MD, and DC all have to have their own dedicated source of revenue before the feds will pony up $150 million a year for 10 years, hence we cannot use the I-66 money.
Mary and others: Funding is not dead yet - as with so many things, their is still the budget to use as a vehicle for a dedicated source of revenue.
Jonathan: I agree; (Lowell - 4/4/2006 11:33:12 PM)
Jonathan: I agree; Metro funding should come before I-66 widening. Actually, just about EVERY other priority should come before I-66 widening. What a dumb idea, not to mention a broken promise. No thanks!
Why not take federal (Jonathan Mark - 4/4/2006 11:33:12 PM)
Why not take federal and state money that was going to go for single-lane I-66 widening in Arlingotn ($100+ million) and use that for Metro?
As long as the politicians appear to have plenty of money to squander on harmful highway projects I really am not interested in hearing about how they need money for Metro.
It's funny. The Dems in Arlington could shut down I-66, but they would antagonize Moran and Kaine. They would rather refuse to lobby these individuals and then complain that there is not enough money.
All three of those g (Lowell - 4/4/2006 11:33:12 PM)
All three of those guys must - MUST - be defeated. Remember this vote, my fellow Northern Virginians, when the next election comes around in 2007!
I would suggest that (PM - 4/4/2006 11:33:12 PM)
I would suggest that in 2007 the Dems running for Delegate seats run as a bloc all through Northern Virginia, having a joint transportation platform, and specifically argue to the electorate how important it is to get rid of those bozos like Parrish and Lingamfelter.