The YOYOs in Richmond: Blame Counties

By: hereinva
Published On: 12/28/2006 11:41:57 AM

YOYO is an acromyn for "You're On Your Own". Those who share this political philosophy believe that "government that doesn't govern is best". Seems a certain core of YOYO's (headed by lead Howell) discovered the easiest way to absolve their responsibilites for transportation problems is to blame localities !!

From 12/28/06  Washington Post

RICHMOND, Dec. 27 -- Virginia House Republicans on Wednesday blamed county supervisors, particularly those in Northern Virginia, for the state's transportation crisis as they proposed laws to shift responsibility for neighborhood roads to the local officials who approve subdivisions.

The YOYO's solution ? Its a 95 County 30 city locally funded roads and repair program. In Virginia- when it comes to roads and repair: You're On Your Own.
Imagine the possibilities: Cities and counties could charge "border tolls" for any motorist who do not reside in their community but must use the roadways. 

Had enough ?



Comments



WaPo Editorial Skewers House Republicans (Catzmaw - 12/28/2006 12:10:14 PM)
The WaPo denounced what it referred to as the House Republicans' "Snooker Strategy" in this editorial:  http://www.washingto...

Republicans have resorted to issuing press releases which the WaPo describes as

masterpieces of omission, obfuscation and budgetary shenanigans designed to snooker voters. Rather than proposing a long-term fix for a long-term problem, they proudly announce that they favor spending what amounts to a pittance -- half of the state's current $500 million surplus -- on one-time transportation projects. Never mind that they have no viable plan for sustaining that already inadequate spending next year and the year after, since surpluses never last and cyclical downturns are inevitable. Never mind that once the money they propose spending is divvied up statewide, it would result in barely enough to build a decent interchange and a few precious miles of highway in Northern Virginia. Never mind that soaring highway maintenance costs are already gobbling up state funds meant for road construction to the tune of $450 million a year, which is approximately twice the amount the House Republicans propose spending on transportation from the current surplus. And never mind that skyrocketing costs for road materials and construction compound the cost of foot-dragging on a long-term solution. None of that bothers the House Republicans, because they're really more interested in scoring PR points than in building roads.


It sounds like ... (Rob - 12/28/2006 12:18:56 PM)
they are using "slow growth" rhetoric, which Governor Kaine also has supported.  But I thought this paragraph was particularly telling:
The GOP legislation unveiled at the Capitol largely takes aim at future development by requiring local governments or homeowners associations to maintain new subdivision roads. It does not give local governments greater authority to deny subdivision developments because of traffic impact, a power supervisors have requested for years.


Then guess what - I guess we do not need them (totallynext - 12/28/2006 7:21:34 PM)
If we are on our own at the local level - no problem - let's take that state sales tax - turn it into a county sales tax and we here in Northern Virginia will quit financing depressed areas of the state.

They want us to be YOYO - they get it also.

No funding for Schools, no welfare, no nothing.  the 70% of the States revenue will stay north of Quantico



I forgot this part (totallynext - 12/28/2006 7:22:29 PM)
Then they no longer have a job - that will save alot of budget funds also.....


Republican "Secret Meetings" (RayH - 12/29/2006 11:17:15 AM)
Today, there was a Washington Post headline about "Secret Meetings" among Virginia Republicans. The report was that they want to find a workable solution to the transportation issue, and stop playing the blame game. Such leadership!

Ha.

There are lots of creatures in the natural world that rely on secrecy for their survival; rats, termites, and roaches come to mind. The GOP members of the VA House are not so different.