Democrats preserve the Hampton Roads Transportation Authority
By Brian Kirwin | Monday, February 2nd, 2009 | UncategorizedSen. John Miller’s bill to someday abolish the Hampton Roads Transportation Authority reached the Senate Floor. See, the Democrat was elected on the promise to abolish the HRTA.
He just didn’t say his bill would let it live practically right up to his re-election date.
Miller added language to his bill, SB 1018, today that would delay abolishing the Authority until July 1, 2011. The bill originally took all Peninsula cities out of the HRTA, but they’re all back in now. And if funding appears before then to build 2 transportation projects, forget abolishing anything. The HRTA stays.
This is what counts as “keeping a promise” to the Democrat Senator. Sen. Miller was part of the team that voted FOR a regional sales tax increase last summer and a gas tax increase, two things I don’t remember him campaigning on.
The Republican’s bill, Del. Glenn Oder’s HB 1580, is sitting in a House Transportation subcommittee. It simply abolishes the HRTA. The House should get on with passing it, and tell the Senate that abolishing the hated transportation authority is a promise that they should keep.
Sen. John Miller’s last-minute watering down of his own bill is an insult, and I’d love to hear how he explains to voters that the best he could do is keep the HRTA alive for almost his entire term, and even beyond if they add funding to it.
If the 13th amendment was written as flimsy as Sen. Miller’s bill, slavery would still be legal.
Tags:
Contribute for Conservatism!
Share this post
About the author
The right wants to jeer him. The left wants to censor him. Moderates usually want both. Brian Kirwin is a political consultant and public relations strategist in Virginia Beach with a lightning-rod flair. Brian also serves on the VB Arts & Humanities Commission and frequently appears on Hampton Roads theatrical stages, if only to prove that all actors aren’t liberals. Kirwin’s columns stir up debate and hit the political scene with no punches pulled.
Comments
3 Responses to "Democrats preserve the Hampton Roads Transportation Authority"
I’m disappointed that Sen. Miller did not work with Del. Oder to craft bi-partisan legislation to eliminate HRTA in a more expeditious manner. However, I’m not willing to break out the pillory for him yet.
Let’s just hope that as the session progresses, this travesty will finally be buried.
And as added proof that the bill does absolutely nothing, it passed the Senate 40-0
I am deeply disapointed in Senators Wagner and Stolle. Especially Wagner. The left wing media will not give Wagner any mercy for this “good deed”, they already despise his offshore drilling focus. Now Wagner only serves to alienate himself from his own supporters.
Though disappointed with Stolle………I can’t say that I’m surprised.
Leave your response
The comments section is for meaningful discussion. Readers are reminded to post comments that are germane to the article and write in a common language that steers clear of personal attacks and/or vulgarities.
Please take a moment to review our comment policy.