Northern Virginia versus the "Rest of Virginia" on transportation funding, that's the story in a new article by Bloomberg News. According to the story's author, Scott Lanman:
Virginia is in political gridlock over how to pay for billions of dollars in road repairs, a battle that pits the booming suburbs near Washington against rural areas.[...]
Residents of northern Virginia said they're angry the state hasn't agreed on a plan to ease congestion and repair roads. Officials say the growth of the Washington suburbs, among the fastest-expanding and richest counties in the U.S., is at stake.
Del. Bob Brink (D-Arlington) is quoted as saying, "Without northern Virginia, the state of Virginia would have been in recession for the past 10 years." Brink adds that NOVA's "needs and concerns have to be addressed."
In contrast, Del. Watkins Abbitt (R-Appomattox), says that NOVA should deal with its road problems by itself ("If they want to tax themselves for their roads, I think that's great...I just don't want to tax us disproportionate to the amount we're getting back.").
And so it goes, unfortunately. As I've written before, my view is that Virginia is one state and that we're all in this together. We're all connected, certainly in the sense that economic growth in one region of Virginia affects people in every other region. Which is why I think we all need to solve a long-term investment issue like transportation together, not separately.
Meanwhile, as WTKR in Hampton Roads reports, the "transportation clock is ticking," with time "running out for Governor Tim Kaine to finish his work on the transportation proposal and several other important pieces of legislation." One more week, that's all the time Governor Kaine has left, and the question is, what's he going to do on the issue that is likely to define his governorship? I am hoping that he makes major fixes to the Republican transportation bill so that the package is balanced, effective, and acceptable to Virginians from all parts of the state - NOVA or "ROVA."
Perhaps he should look downstate and realize that some areas HAVE been in recession the past 10 years...
And Lowell, while I strongly dislike the term "ROVA", I will agree with you on the general idea that we are all in this together and need to solve this for the long term in such a manner.
It is certainly a shame that you believe there are 2 Virginia's. As the Bush administration made 2 America's, you and the rest of the Republicans want to make 2 Virginia's.
You probably have one of safest seats in VA, but most of your Republican friends are in for a probable defeat this Nov.
I honestly must say that is an arrogant position you are taking.
It also expresses another reason why Mr. Abbitt should have held back before he said that: there's nothing in the bill for rural Virginia roads!!!
How can he lambaste NOVA for feeling this bill insignificantly funds its road problem, when the bill doesn't even address the problem in his district?