Here is the Republican con in the special Transportation Session. HB 32o2 is back like the son of Frankenstein, or any other horror film remake unto ridiculousness, as the Republican transportation ‘answer’. But like the original HB 3202 it is just a con game for the Commonwealth. It is more about political corruption of politicians and the corruption of the political process for good governance – two separate but connected issues, than transportation.
Much to my dismay, Del. Phil Hamilton, R-Newport News, who knows much about medicine and government policy, is the co-author from The Peninsula.
Here is a Hampton Roads/Tidewater perspective on the bad bill before the House.
The General Assembly declares it to be in the public interest that the economic development needs and economic growth potential of Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia be addressed by special transportation revenues to provide for the costs of providing an adequate, modern, safe, and efficient transportation network in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia and hereby enacts the following legislation to provide for the same.
First fallacy: existing revenues – raising taxes – are needed.
The newest Regional Government for Hampton Roads isn’t the HRTA, but the MPO. Google and check out to see how many of the same people are in the MPO/HRPDC/HRTA. The MPO is an appointed body – not elected.
§ 33.1-391.17. Hampton Roads Transportation Revenue Fund established.
There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Hampton Roads Transportation Revenue Fund, hereafter referred to as “the Fund.” The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. The Fund shall consist of fees and taxes imposed pursuant to §§ 46.2-755.1, 46.2-1167.1, and 58.1-2402.1 in the Counties of Isle of Wight, James City, and York and the Cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg, and any other funds that may be deposited into the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for new transportation construction projects in the Counties of Isle of Wight, James City, and York and the Cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg, as required by law; and then as determined by the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Our MPO has been cited for violating Federal Law in its functioning. It is one of the worst performing MPOs in the Nation.
Some money will come from the Port.
(Editor’s note: Follow this link to the full text of Jim Bowden’s post. The original post was so long that it visually disrupted the display of previous posts. Readers are invited to comment on the legislation or Jim’s commentary by clicking on the “comments” link immediately below.)
