The battle over transportation in Virginia has been full of laughable moments, from Delegates noting how they don’t hear taxpayers clamoring for tax increases when they return home to news stories on the lack of concern about traffic in Virginia hamlets with three-digit populations. Of course, we laugh to keep from crying, or rather, we laugh to keep from tracking down these Prince William County Delegates and punching them in their smug faces. We know their day of electoral or karmic reckoning is coming, we just don’t know when.
The latest cause for such thoughts is a story in today’s Post, highlighting the reaction of two PW Delegates to an event planned by leaders of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission. The event was scheduled to take place at a park-and-ride lot and was intended to draw attention to Metro’s need for permanent funding. PW Delegate L. Scott Lingamfelter responded by writing, “I don’t think this is a very good use of taxpayer dollars to lobby the people to raise their own taxes, including using the offices and staff of the NVTC. I will, therefore, be asking the Auditor of Public Accounts to take a look at such activities.” Jeffery Frederick joined him in his concern; as of now, the event has been postponed. Counsel for the NVTC believes the use of public funds is not illegal. We believe that the thousands of PW residents that do use Metro daily suck up more than the cost of this event.
Color My World: We’ll stay in Virginia for the moment. NBC 4 is reporting a controversy over a coloring book put together by a Manassas “housing and overcrowded task force.” The book, entitled, “Being a Good Neighbor,” notes that parking on lawns, leaving grass uncut, and having indoor furniture outdoors is inappropriate behavior. There’s also a word search asking kids to find, “zoning,” “inspections,” and “overcrowding.” Complaints have been registered over the possibility that the book is targeting immigrants.
We Had to Include This: This is more Wonkette‘s schtick, but we had to include it. From the Washington Times the juxtaposition at right.
Mayor Williams Submits His Final Budget: The last budget proposal of his mayoral tenure was turned in yesterday, a plan which would call for around $5 billion in local funds for a total of about $7.5 billion, once Federal funds are included. Articles in both the Post and the Examiner include a reference to a reduction in income tax in the headline, but for the life of me, I can’t find details about it in the text of either story (please correct me if I’m wrong, I’ve not yet had my coffee). Those stories have (some of) the details, but notable changes include a $66 million increase to the police department for pay raises (Council members would rather see additional officers), a $16 million boost for public schools, and full funding for the Council’s school modernization act. There will also likely be interesting debate about the mayor’s proposed increase in the deed recordation tax.
Briefly Noted: Nats GM Jim Bowden discusses Soriano in the Examiner…Loudoun County Planning Commission votes to ease restrictions on development in the rural west…Lines already forming for GMU Sweet Sixteen tickets…Wiz fall to Nets.
Picture (at top) taken by k0rben.
