The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is now operated and maintained by a stand-alone tunnel authority. It is running massive surpluses and has not cost the state a dime to maintain, nor to expand. Thus it was lustfully viewed as a cash cow as Republicans suspiciously crafted their transportation plan, HB3202.
Both located in the 6th Senate district, the rural Eastern Shore counties of Accomack and Northampton are not now members of the Hampton Roads Transportation Authority. But thanks to Rerras et al and the new GOP transportation plan, they will be someday. The cash cow will one day be corralled and forced to surrender to its governance.
Once certain bond debts are retired, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel will have its authority disbanded and its oversight will be transferred to the HRTA. Accomack and Northampton will be forced to join the HRTA, an authority that will have by that time already encumbered all new bond debt financed by all new tolls/taxes/fees.
Specifically, the taxpayers of those not-so-wealthy counties will then be able to enjoy along with the rest of us the following:
* New 5% sales tax on auto repairs
* Grantor's tax of $0.40/$100 paid by sellers at RE settlement
* Regional gas tax of 2%
* 2% local rental car impact fee
* Initial vehicle registration fees of 1%
* $10 annual vehicle license fee
* $10 motor vehicle inspection fee
* $0.10/100 increase on commercial real estate taxes
* tolls on virtually every highway in Hampton Roads
Way to go, Nick "FemiNazi" Rerras, Mr. Sits-on-Senate-Transportation-Committee Could-Have-Looked-Out-for-his-Constituents But -Instead -Screwed -Them -Over. The citizens of Accomack and Northampton love you for it! Way to reward a successful transportation project that pays for itself with its own tolls.
Let's send Dr. Ralph Northam to Richmond to fix this mess next session. Ok? Ok!