The Green Miles is a baseball stats geek. Moneyball is one of my favorite books. One of the people highlighted in Moneyball, then-Oakland A's assistant general manager Paul DePodesta, is now works in the front office of the San Diego Padres.
The Alexandria native recently became a pioneer -- a baseball executive with a blog that breaks down the thinking behind the club's moves. It's called, appropriately enough, It Might be Dangerous ... You Go First.
When discussing the skill and luck involved in making selections in baseball's draft, DePodesta posted a chart from the book Winning Decisions. I couldn't help but be reminded of the Virginia General Assembly's transportation special session that begins Monday, a process that's far from ideal with an outcome that's definitely in doubt.
So let's use that chart to make our predictions about the results of the session. First, what do you think of the process -- the session itself and the willingness of the participants to come together for the good of the Commonwealth? Second, what's your prediction for the outcome -- will transportation get the funding it needs, and if so, will the revenue source be a wise choice?
Cast your vote after the jump and give us a look at your reasoning in comments.
My favorite restaurant has good service and good food, not the highest prices on the menu. As long as the transportation program is measured in dollars and the dollars are spread like peanut butter on a sandwich poetic justice will result.
The Northern Virginia bond issue failed because of the combination of highest prices and a peanut butter project list. The voters are looking for reduced congestion.
Until spending is aimed at reducing congestion, the voters won't buy. That means a plan that allocates projects based on congestion and not on dollars. Because of higher construction costs in populated areas Northern Virginia gets half a loaf while down state gets a full loaf.