Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce vs. Speaker of the House Howell

Speaker of the House William J. Howell (R-Stafford) has said many times that his constituents have been telling him there is no need for them to pay higher taxes for transportation when the government is running a record surplus.

Unfortunately for Howell, one of his constitutents is the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce, and they have a 180-degree different opinion on the issue.  According to an April 27 letter from the Chamber to Howell, in fact:

The House version of the budget, as currently written, is desperately insufficient.  It provides just $16 million for our entire region.  That amount barely exceeds the cost of just one road recently built in our area, Cowan Boulevard.  The Board of Directors of the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce unanimously endorses the Senate proposal for a permanent and sustainable revenue stream through a dedicated gas tax.

Fascinating, eh?  Pretty funny too, if you ask me.  But it gets even funnier when you read Howell's response to the Chamber.  Here are a few highlights (my snarky comments in italics)

*"...as a Board member for many years, however, I would have thought that you would have talked with me first before sending your letter not just to me but others."  (What, so you could have told them to keep their mouths shut?)

*"Regrettably, your letter contained many of the same inaccuracies currently being trotted out by the Senate and the Governor to advance their position."  (Yes, very regrettable for YOU, Bill! And embarassing too...the truth hurts, eh?)

*"The inaccurate claims now being made by the Kaine Administration and the Virginia Senate that all of VDOT+óGé¼Gäós funds will go towards maintenance by 2010 directly contradict all analyses previously provided and are not based in fact."  (Uh, and your analysis is completely "fact-based," of course.  Hahahahahahahaha.)

*"It has been disheartening to see those entrusted with power +óGé¼+ôadjusting+óGé¼-¥ these dates to engender fear and create a manufactured sense of urgency among citizens."  (Right, no urgency at all as we sit stuck in traffic for hour after hour after hour after...)

*"Since Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads have the most severe congestion problems, the House transportation plan targets substantial amounts to help alleviate their situation." (Right, then why have "anxious Republicans from Northern Virginia, who acknowledge that the House plan is laughably inadequate, have pleaded with Mr. Howell to at least allow the state's most heavily populated regions, Northern Virginia and Tidewater, to help themselves with local revenue-producing schemes?")

*"At a time when gas prices are over $3.00 a gallon, can people really afford another dime ormore per gallon on top of that?"  (Actually, the fact is that we don't like it much, but we HAVE afforded not only another dime, but another $2 per gallon compared to a few years ago.  And it's all going to Big Oil and OPEC.  Just wonderful. And, while we're on the subject, an extra 6 cents per gallon, or just 2% of the current gas price, would barely even be noticeable - an extra 60 cents to fill up a 10-gallon tank.  Plus, think of how much time we'd save if we spent the money we raised from that 6-cent-per-gallon tax on getting us out of traffic gridlock?  Can we say "penny wise and pound foolish?"  Yes, that's you, Speaker Howell. And arrogant. And clueless. And...}

*"I hope that my effort to provide the Board with accurate information has neither offended you
nor caused undue embarrassment." (No, YOU are the one who should be embarassed, for "car[ing] not a whit for Northern Virginia's transportation nightmare" and for your "pigheadedness.")

"If you need further information regarding the particulars of the current debate over taxes and
transportation, please do not hesitate to contact me."  (Yeah, so you can get more ridiculous spin and excuses from a man who's supposed to be a leader and a grownup, but is so petty he won't even have LUNCH with the Governor and Senate Finance Chairman.  Amazing.}

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