For the second time in the past few days, a Virginia House of Delegates committee has killed a bill that would authorize a quarter-cent sales tax increase dedicated to funding Metro. The bill, which was introduced in the Virginia Senate and passed there 36-3, was denied in a House Finance subcommittee last week but was allowed to come before the whole committee yesterday for another vote. It failed there by a count of 11-8, increasing the likelihood that no increase will be authorized before the end of the legislative session on March 11. The increase would only apply to the five Northern Virginia jurisdictions served by Metro, and it would be part of a regional effort to secure regular system funding and match a proposed $1.5 billion allocation to Metro introduced by U.S. Representative Tom Davis (R-Va.).
More Money for Baseball: Mayor Williams has identified about $20 million which he’d like to put toward potential cost overruns in stadium construction. Those overruns have been a hang-up for the stadium lease deal, as MLB is not pleased about the idea of saddling the new ownership with the bill. The earmarked money would come from excess revenues from two taxes on businesses and one on concessions at RFK. D.C. Council members immediately expressed concern about the deal, saying it violated the spending cap agreed upon last month. The Nats have also identified an increased source of funding; yesterday the Examiner reported that single-game ticket prices for “premium” games (of which there are about 10) will increase by as much as $16.
Williams to Take Really Nice Africa Junket: Mayor Williams, having dug up $20 million in cash for baseball, is planning an assault on Africa. For what will be his first official trip to the continent, Williams is hoping to assemble an entourage 55 strong to help him pass the time over the 19 day excursion. The business and community leaders expected to attend are asked to shell out $40,000 for the top shelf package, which includes a meeting with the Senegalese president. The Post also reports that, “Donors at the $25,000 level would get no highly privileged, private meetings and would have to fly coach.”
Briefly Noted: Two men killed in Southeast Washington…Reward doubled in weekend shooting on U Street…Ring of Civil War forts surrounding D.C. endangered…Zoo attempts to duplicate panda success with mongooses (mongeese?).
Picture taken by Daquella manera.
