Comments on: All congested roads lead to Richmond http://bearingdrift.com/2008/06/19/all-congested-roads-lead-to-richmond/ Thu, 24 May 2012 19:30:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Virginia Podcasting Network » Blog Archive » Episode 27. Virginia Politics On-Demand. June 19, 2008. http://bearingdrift.com/2008/06/19/all-congested-roads-lead-to-richmond/#comment-3309 Virginia Podcasting Network » Blog Archive » Episode 27. Virginia Politics On-Demand. June 19, 2008. Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:37:31 +0000 http://bearingdrift.com/?p=554#comment-3309 [...] That’s far different from what he is saying today. [...] [...] That’s far different from what he is saying today. [...]

]]> By: Reid Greenmun http://bearingdrift.com/2008/06/19/all-congested-roads-lead-to-richmond/#comment-3255 Reid Greenmun Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:59:09 +0000 http://bearingdrift.com/?p=554#comment-3255 The rush to raise taxes in Richmond is a bait & switch effort to distract everyone from taking the time examining the 6 MPO projects planned for being built using the BILLIONS of new taxes, fees, and tolls in our region to pay for more bond debt. The proposed 6 MPO projects don't really reduce traffic congestion - they are mostly designed top benefit THE PORT. But here is the thing, the STATE owns the port, not our region. So why isn't that STATE paying for the port's new highway capacity, rail lines, dredging, and bridge tunnels? Hum, perhaps because political parties believe is easier to force only the folks living in Tidewater to pick up the tab! The rush to raise taxes in Richmond is a bait & switch effort to distract everyone from taking the time examining the 6 MPO projects planned for being built using the BILLIONS of new taxes, fees, and tolls in our region to pay for more bond debt. The proposed 6 MPO projects don’t really reduce traffic congestion – they are mostly designed top benefit THE PORT.

But here is the thing, the STATE owns the port, not our region. So why isn’t that STATE paying for the port’s new highway capacity, rail lines, dredging, and bridge tunnels?

Hum, perhaps because political parties believe is easier to force only the folks living in Tidewater to pick up the tab!

]]> By: J.R. http://bearingdrift.com/2008/06/19/all-congested-roads-lead-to-richmond/#comment-3254 J.R. Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:44:35 +0000 http://bearingdrift.com/?p=554#comment-3254 Just got the governor's proposal via email, Brian...see if you can detect a trend: <ul> <li><strong>Increases</strong> the existing statewide motor vehicles sales <strong>tax</strong> from 3% to 4%, with a ½ percent increase in January 2009 and another ½ percent in July 2009, and dedicates all motor vehicle sales tax funds to maintenance;</li> <li><strong>Increases</strong> the statewide annual vehicle registration <strong>fee</strong> by $10 and dedicates those funds to maintenance;</li> <li><strong>Increases</strong> the retail sales <strong>tax</strong> in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads by 1% (excluding food and drugs) for targeted projects, dedicating the funds to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, consistent with current law, and to seven regional projects in Hampton Roads, including the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, with the regional revenues to be held by a trustee in the region;</li> <li>Abolishes the Hampton Roads Transportation Authority;</li> <li><strong>Increases</strong> the statewide grantor’s <strong>tax</strong> by 25 cents, dedicating the funds to the Transportation Change Fund.</li> </ul> Hmmm...looks like he's for increasing taxes. Just got the governor’s proposal via email, Brian…see if you can detect a trend:

  • Increases the existing statewide motor vehicles sales tax from 3% to 4%, with a ½ percent increase in January 2009 and another ½ percent in July 2009, and dedicates all motor vehicle sales tax funds to maintenance;
  • Increases the statewide annual vehicle registration fee by $10 and dedicates those funds to maintenance;
  • Increases the retail sales tax in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads by 1% (excluding food and drugs) for targeted projects, dedicating the funds to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, consistent with current law, and to seven regional projects in Hampton Roads, including the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, with the regional revenues to be held by a trustee in the region;
  • Abolishes the Hampton Roads Transportation Authority;
  • Increases the statewide grantor’s tax by 25 cents, dedicating the funds to the Transportation Change Fund.

Hmmm…looks like he’s for increasing taxes.

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