Road Map   There is no need for legislative gridlock in Virginia. Two new publications outline priorities and detail solutions that a consensus can build around.   During this Holiday Season there are two important publications that need to be read and digested by those leaders who truly want to create a “road map” for confronting Virginia's major problems.   First, is the Reason Foundation’s August 2006 study, “Building Roads to Reduce Traffic Congestion in America’s Cities: How Much and at What Cost?”, along sections devoted to the Washington Metropolitan area, which includes Northern Virginia, and the rest of Virginia.   This important study shows that solving our congestion problem isn’t all that difficult with the financial resources we have currently. We must refocus our priorities and improve the way we spend our money. To eliminate chronic traffic congestion we need to re-allocate funds from mass transit to roads. New construction, better traffic management techniques including congestion pricing, the use of public-private partnerships, and privately built and managed toll roads are all part of the answers found in this study.   The projected cost for relieving over-congestion between now and 2030, south of Northern Virginia, is only $3.2 billion. And the projected cost for the overall Washington Metropolitan Area is $16.2 billion. Figuring Virginia’s share of the funding at 60 percent, then the total cost is about $10 billion for needed road networks over the next 24 years.   The total investment for the entire state, based on this detailed study, is only $13.2 billion in 2005 dollars. Admittedly, that number would appear to be a rock-bottom minimum -- it's a lot less than the figures being tossed around under other scenarios. But let's get the most critical things done first. A basic “master plan” as outlined in this study makes sense, especially if coordinated with an initiative to turn most road construction and maintenance over to our counties and cities.   The second book for our leaders to “snuggle up with” over the Christmas Season is a fascinating new book edited by two nationally recognized experts on reforming state government: William Eggers, Global Director for Deloitte Research – Public Sector and Robert Campbell III, Vice Chairman of Deloitte & Touche USA and National Managing Director of Deloitte’s U.S. Public Sector practice. These two men understand the challenges faced in our states and have practical and workable ideas on how to face them.   The book, “States in Transition,” offers specific solutions for such problems as an aging state work force and an under-funded pension system, the challenges from Medicaid, how to integrate health and Human Services delivery, forcing more money into the classroom and building the infrastructure needed in roads, schools and other government facilities. (Go to the the Deloitte website and type the book name into the search box.)   This is a “let’s get it done” book that could become the basis for our General Assembly, the Governor and our local elected officials to craft creative solutions for the serious problems we face today and will be facing in a few short years.   Rarely do two such important, practical, logical and easily understood publications become available at just the right time.   If the goal of public policy and those who are responsible for crafting it – our elected officials, business leaders, community activists and the media – is to find common ground upon which we can make society truly better, then these publications can become the basis for a long-term strategic plan to getting the job done.   The House, Senate and Governor can either continue in the current political stalemate that is stoking electoral resentment, or they can take the ideas outlined by the Reason Foundation’s August study and the book, “States in Transition,” and craft an exciting and creative “Road Map” for Virginia future.   -- December 18, 2006