James City County reverses stance on transportation authority

The only way this unconstitutional taxing authority can be stopped is in the courts. I read the other day that The Virginia Supreme Court heard arguments on the one in Northern Virginia. Hopefully they will do the right thing and order it's abolishment up there and here. My gut feeling tells me that the court will find a way to justify its existence. I hope they prove me wrong.

http://vlweekly.blogspot.com/2008/01/supreme-court-hears-transportation.html

The case is supposed to settled March 2, 2008.
The cases are Marshall v. Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, Record No. 071959 and Loudoun County Board of Supervisors v. NVTA, 071979.

Who says that these transportation needs are desperate and further more that the proposed projects will solve anything. I have experience in highway project planning and most road projects, such as those in Maryland and Northern New Jersey, have solved nothing. It could even be argued that highway transportation construction projects have caused or increased transportation problems. We live in a world of finite resources and possible growth. For a long time now, growth has been decidedly a negative: environmentally, economically and quality of life issues as well as others too numerous to list here. By the way the Ford truck plant closed in Norfolk and so have other companies and even the fishing and farming industry has been reduced. The fact is that people are leaving the area. The declining reality of our nation's economy point to the unavoidable fact that tax payer supported industries such as those that support the military such as ship building and repair will shrink or......and that fact of life will further reduce population.

Instead of letting local goverments be bullied by their uneducated masses, we should just speed up the inevitable and borrow the money from the Chinese. I think it is a good idea to sell our country to a country that has very few cars, so that all of our citizens can ride in a car alone.

So basically, the State, in my case Fred Quayle and Chris Jones, are saying that VDOT is unable to manage transportation issues/projects within the current budget. So if VDOT has proven to be a failure, I would expect to see that wasteful department disbanded. Otherwise it is a blatant grab for more of our money. Mr. Jones and Mr. Quayle, you are both on notice, if you continue to support this extreme form of taxation without representation...ie localities only being able to symbolically opt out of this new boondoggle, you will surely be voted right out of office as soon as possible. I guess a referendum is out of the question as it might actually force our elected officials to listen to the people. My how the mighty fall.

You're right...I don't like taxes. But do you realize that if the cities would put a stop to blowing tax money on ridiculous and unneeded projects...we would have enough money for our roads without having to implement the HRTA? I'm tired of hearing that my city can't afford to pay for repairs and have to tax more...then turn around and spend millions on pet projects. What was more important? Improving traffic around town center...or a new performing arts center? Their theory is that the arts center will generate tax money over a set number of years. Fine...great!! But then they turn around, take those profits and do it again. Which is ideal...if you're a BUSINESS. But this is a GOVERNMENT. You first take care of what the city NEEDS...not wants. Seems like all the council members have those two confused with each other.

This changes nothing, the taxes and fees, will still go into effect. Little more then a public relations ploy. What is of paramount importance is the fact that the cost projections for these transportation projects have changed in the extreme. The construction costs will be drastically higher because of inflation and the continued steep decline in the value of the dollar. There simply will not be enough money. Because of that most important fact, the project needs to be stopped. All of the city councils need to reconsider the issue in that light and end their questionable support. The recent decision by the Hampton Roads Transportation and Taxing Authority to put off the tax on gasoline is an example of the changing economic conditions and what would be the public reaction. A majority of citizens are against the HRTA, its road projects, and it's imposed taxes and tolls and believe it has no illegal standing. The mayors and city councils who have given authority to the HRTA, did so against the wishes and best interest's of the citizens who elected them. Why?.....the answer to all important question is not clear.

No one wants higher taxes, but how else are you going to pay for the desperately needed transportation improvements? I wish we had another opportunity, like we did several years ago, to have a referendum on a one penny increase in sales tax, with the guarantee that revenues raised would remain within the region for transportation improvements. I voted yes for that, and still think it was a much better plan than the one moving forward now. No tolls, no repair bill increases, no increased inspection fees, and no Transportation Authority. You would barely notice the one cent sales tax increase, but it would generate boatloads of cash, especially from out of town tourists who create many of the traffic issues we're trying to solve.

But, as usual, the "no tax increases at any cost" crowd drowned out those preaching common sense. How's this for common sense - Quit collecting all taxes - close all schools, shut down all roads, fire all the police and firemen. Gee, then there would be nothing to complain about, right?

The republican majority legislature that passed the roads bill said "YES!".

Mayor "i never met a tax i didn't like" would never pass the opportunity to take money from citizens. Even citizens that she does not lord over. Taxiation without representation. Mayor tax-em-dorf does not represent Hampton, etc, yet she votes to tax them. Get rid of HRTA before we all are too poor to even ride a horse through the HRBT.

Face it, this whole "regionalism" scam is a attack on the soveriegnty of local governments and a way to usurp to power of voters. It is a scam to try to hide bond debt, and a way for the local business lobby to seize control over the decisions regarding how our transportation funds are going to be spent. The $4.4B 3rd Crossing is a boondoggle for the state owned Port Authority - but the state is sticking us "locals" with the tab. Every highway, bridgetunnel, and road we have in Tidewater was built and paid for without the need to create an all-appointed, all powerful "regional" government. When this was on the ballot in 2002 - we said "No!".

Bravo York County! Glad to see that your county has a government that actually listens to its citizens. Can you send some representatives over here to Va Beach to give some lessons to City Council? Will you? Please?

Be sure to specify the CITY COUNCILS of those localities. The public in general does not support this atrocious, illegal, unaccountable taxation authority.