Kaine to Give Away Control over Dulles Toll Road

The hottest rumor is that Virginia Governor Tim Kaine will take advantage of the upcoming Christmas holiday, where most people are not watching public issues, to turn over control of the Dulles Toll Road to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA). This would be done as a part of Kaine's effort to see road tolls raised to fund construction of the Silver Line.

While many people, including me, do not oppose this transfer in concept, there are too many unanswered questions. Both Republicans in the General Assembly and Democrat Gerry Connolly have also raised concerns about the transparency and accountability of the MWAA. Indeed, this entity has members from Maryland and D.C. on its board. Do we want nonresidents of Virginia making policy decisions about the Dulles Corridor?

All of the MWAA board members are appointed. How will they be held accountable to the residents of Virginia? I do not believe, but could be wrong, that basic "openness-in-government" laws apply to the MWAA. At a minimum, the MWAA should be subject to FOIA, Open Meetings (Sunshine) and other fundamental protections that ensure fair and open government. Also, who will oversee the ratemaking powers of the MWAA? What if it decides to set the tolls at $5? Who can regulate the MWAA?

Transfer of the Dulles Toll Road may be a good idea in the long run, but Governor Kaine should first address these fundamental issues being raised by Democrats and Republicans alike. He shouldn't make this transfer during the distractions of the Christmas holiday season.