The rejection by a House Finance Subcommittee of a dedicated funding source for Metro is pitiful on several levels. First, House Republicans (all 5 "nay" votes were by Republicans) managed to hurt Metro, which is absolutely critical to transportation in Northern Virginia and which, according to the Washington Post, is "the only major public transit system without a guaranteed stream of government revenue." According to J. Kenneth Klinge, a former member of the Commonwealth Transportation Board, "This is about as shortsighted a thing as I've ever seen... if you think it's bad now, everything will stop in northern Virginia."Second, House Republicans hurt Virginia's reputation as a solid regional partner, given that financing Metro is a case in which "Virginia, Maryland and the District would have to act in concert." Apparently, House Republicans don't play well with others. But then again, we knew that already, didn't we?
Third, House Republicans dissed Northern Virginia specifically, and local government in general. As Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple (D-Arlington) said: "this is an example of local government willing to tax themselves for something that is of the highest regional priority . . . and they won't just give us that simple authority to do it ourselves."
Fourth, House Republicans rejected the business community. That's right, this bill was supported by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, the Northern Virginia Technology Council and the Greater Washington Board of Trade. Not exactly a bunch of raging liberals!
Finally, House Republicans dissed one of their own, Rep. Tom Davis (R-11), who "began the drive for a new financing system last year when he introduced a bill that would give Metro $1.5 billion for capital projects." Basically, House Republicans managed to make Tom Davis look weak and ineffectual by blocking Davis on a major initiative in his own home territory. Unbelievable. And I thought Democrats were the ones who liked to form "circular firing squads!"
Voters of Northern Virginia: remember this vote the next time you see Harry Parrish (R-Manassas), L. Scott Lingamfelter (R-Prince William), or any other pro-gridlock Republican on the ballot. And Tom Davis? Apparently, he can't even get his fellow Republicans to go along with him. Heck, if that's going to be the case, why not just elect a Democrat like Andy Hurst in the 11th District, and see how he does? Just a thought.
P.S. Kudos to one Republican - Timothy Hugo - for breaking with the Gridlock Republicans and joining Democrats Chuck Caputo, Steve Shannon, Robert Hull, and Joseph P. Johnson on this issue.