Why Can't the Press Move beyond Tax Increases on Transportation?
The area press, including my favorite local papers, simply cannot see beyond their liberalism -- increased government spending and taxes solves problems. This is especially true with respect to the transportation issue in Virginia. That just doesn't cut it! We need more complex thinking and reporting. Let's consider the following.
Environmental groups have filed a lawsuit challenging the proposed construction of the Inter-County Connector (ICC) highway in Maryland. They argue that the D.C. Metro's air quality problems would be exacerbated by the construction of a major new highway and, thus, the road is unlawful, as proposed. I'm sure that there are good arguments in opposition to that position.
But let's assume for the moment that the environmental groups are correct. What if the air quality laws would not permit construction of the ICC? It's not rocket science. If a major new road could not be built lawfully in Suburban Maryland, a major new road could not be built lawfully in Northern Virginia either. If the ICC cannot be constructed, why would any reasonable, thinking person (that excludes lobbyists, of course) believe that an outer beltway segment could be built?
If we cannot lawfully build any major roads or add substantial capacity to existing ones (except, perhaps, HOT or HOV lanes), why should NoVA legislators vote for a transportation tax increase? If we pay more in NoVA, but don't get to use most of the proceeds from a tax increase, aren't we just increasing the amounts of subsidies we send around the state?
Again, I'm not ready to concede that the Maryland lawsuit would necessarily be successful. But if NoVA residents, including the press and elected officials, care one bit about how our tax dollars are spent, shouldn't we be asking these questions now? Before the General Assembly meets? Shouldn't someone be asking Governor Kaine and the tax-happy senators from both parties to explain this issue? Can't we have some editorial writers move beyond knee-jerk liberalism and the automatic support of tax increases and more spending? Might ordinary citizens and business executives think before they react?
What is the relationship of federal air quality issues and transportation in NoVA?
Environmental groups have filed a lawsuit challenging the proposed construction of the Inter-County Connector (ICC) highway in Maryland. They argue that the D.C. Metro's air quality problems would be exacerbated by the construction of a major new highway and, thus, the road is unlawful, as proposed. I'm sure that there are good arguments in opposition to that position.
But let's assume for the moment that the environmental groups are correct. What if the air quality laws would not permit construction of the ICC? It's not rocket science. If a major new road could not be built lawfully in Suburban Maryland, a major new road could not be built lawfully in Northern Virginia either. If the ICC cannot be constructed, why would any reasonable, thinking person (that excludes lobbyists, of course) believe that an outer beltway segment could be built?
If we cannot lawfully build any major roads or add substantial capacity to existing ones (except, perhaps, HOT or HOV lanes), why should NoVA legislators vote for a transportation tax increase? If we pay more in NoVA, but don't get to use most of the proceeds from a tax increase, aren't we just increasing the amounts of subsidies we send around the state?
Again, I'm not ready to concede that the Maryland lawsuit would necessarily be successful. But if NoVA residents, including the press and elected officials, care one bit about how our tax dollars are spent, shouldn't we be asking these questions now? Before the General Assembly meets? Shouldn't someone be asking Governor Kaine and the tax-happy senators from both parties to explain this issue? Can't we have some editorial writers move beyond knee-jerk liberalism and the automatic support of tax increases and more spending? Might ordinary citizens and business executives think before they react?
What is the relationship of federal air quality issues and transportation in NoVA?
posted by Toomanytaxes at 11:03 AM
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