Then we end up with a mess like HB3202 that supposedly will help solve our transportation woes and it can’t even pass Constitutional muster – and they were warned repeatedly that it wouldn’t. Right now there are so many people refraining from saying “I told you so” because sadly the brilliance that is the General Assembly has put the Commonwealth in an even worse position than they started…..all because they continually refuse to deal with fiscal reality.

From 1990 to 2001, state spending grew at almost twice the rate of population growth plus inflation. In less than a decade, the Virginia budget has more than DOUBLED, yet we are unable to provide basic services such as roads.

To the General Assembly I say “stop the out-of-control SPENDING”. All the economic experts will tell you that taxpayers are tapped out. The TAXPAYERS will tell you that the taxpayers are tapped out. There is NO MORE revenue to be had at the federal, state, and local levels. This culture of over-spending must stop because the money to properly run the state government is already there and then some. Any budget expert who is not blinded by special interests or drunk with power (as many elected officials seem to be) can find the money in the state budget to maintain every necessary service and cover core needs such as roads.

Just like the grassroots movement that we are seeing over illegal aliens, this is a movement that will have to come from the anger in our communities and be built from the ground up until elected officials FINALLY get the message.

My hat’s off to Bob Marshall or as he was called in an earlier post “Dr. No.” I think the answer to this mess IS just to say “NO!”

P.S. My dad is going to be introducing a bill to return the fees and taxes that were collected. He warned them not to collect the taxes until the lawsuit was decided, but they did it anyways. So, they owe that money back to the people.

I guess we just witnessed the power of one.

Bob FitzSimmons was right when he said we aren’t
getting our fair share back on the money we send to
Richmond. But I did think it was naive to think all we
had to do was throw a hissy on the Senate floor and
would have our way. Hopefully, though, the
redistricting following the 2010 census will change the
mix in the GA in our favor.

For now, the economy as put the brakes on rapid
building and development. A small siver lining in
a very big dark cloud.

I’m not advocating a refund of all taxes collected, but I do advocate that the General Assembly address this like Colgan has suggested. Let the Assembly work toward a solution … and not pass the responsibility to an unelected body or the citizens via a referendum. Both have failed.

Considering the budget the Senate just passed with a huge new government program (pre-K), there are opportunities to cut spending, to consider a new transportation bond and to put gas and other taxes collected for transportation back into transportation. The easy way is to raise taxes — the hard way is to negotiate solutions with our Southwest Virginia counterparts who could care less about N.Va. or Hampton Roads transportation needs but do care about the taxes that these two regions generate and dole out to the S.W.

Our Senate Finance Chairman has a lot of work to do with his Finance colleagues. Keep an eye on them!

Get rid of the illegals who are saturating our school systems and there will be money for roads.

Many in my industry pushed hard for taxing authority to be delegated because it would bring more work to Northern Virginia. In addition, it would potentially alleviate some of the nightmarish gridlock we face nearly every day.

But … I am a freedom loving American first and foremost. I am not willing to sacrifice my freedom for a bigger paycheck. Nor am I willing to sacrifice my freedom for breaking up the gridlock.

Willingness to empower a non-elected body with taxing power is so unbelievably short-sighted. Self-government only works when we, the people, can closely monitor what those with taxing power are actually doing with our money. It’s hard enough holding our elected officials accountable.

I salute Bob Marshall, one man who has the courage and fortitude to stand up for what is right, unlike the 99% who will do whatever is politically expedient.

Shame on them, and congratulations to the Virginia Supreme Court for getting it right.

As long as we are engaging in supposition BD, that statement (and your moniker) lead me to suppose you’re part of the problem, elected official, county staffer or developer. Am I off the mark?

I would say Yes to that.

I couldn’t agree with you more.

This is a systemic problem centered in Richmond.

I noticed the lack of response to your post

Maybe it’s you who needs to do a little research, if the “rurals” don’t want to underwrite NOVA’s faulty planning, so be it, that is a reality the local BOCSs have ignored and continue to do so to our detriment. It’s sort of like living within ones means and consequences that eventually have to be dealt with when you don’t.

It’s time to send someone from the 36th to Richmond that will work with all members of the Senate to come up with sustainable, affordable transportation planning for Northern Virginia not just grandstand, obstruct and vote solely along party lines.