According to the Washington Times, consensus is still to be had on the transportation issue (here). Virginia Republicans are still wrangling amongst themselves.
Senator Ken Cuccinelli described it this way today in “The Cuccinelli Compass” (Cuccinelli’s emailed newsletter).
The focus of media attention has been on what kind of transportation package we’ll be able to put together (if any) this session. This process is very fluid. it is much like trying to put a jigsaw puzzle together by lining up all the pieces in mid-air and trying to drop them into place all at once.
As you might expect, I am pushing for tolls and other user fees that connect transportation as directly as possible to driving or riding mass transit (i.e., to use new lanes on a road, you have to pay a toll). I am also enthusiastic about an idea that I have supported for some time that appears to be getting some traction when I talk to other members about it, namely, to turn primary and secondary roads over to the localities and given them the tax streams that currently fund those roads.
Until the same elected body is responsible for both roads/transportation and development, you won’t get long-term, market-driven development decisions. This brings conservative notions of federalism to the transportation and land use arenas – areas where we need to make systemic improvements.
Money alone will not solve our transportation problem, we have to change how we do business in both transportation and development. I don’t want to be too optimistic, but it’s at least possible that something worthwhile might happen here.
In the meantime, take everything you read in the Post with a grain of salt.
Cuccinelli’s approach is right on. If you want him to succeed, let your legislators know how you feel.
