The question is how will Johnny 'Roadblock' Joannou vote? Will he stay true to form and deny Hampton Roads citizens the right to decide how to fix their own traffic woes? Or will he flip-flop in the face of a stiff re-election challenge and reverse years of neglect to finally do something about traffic congestion in the region?
Don't get your hopes up, if you're stuck in traffic. Johnny Roadblock has repeatedly voted to keep you sitting right where you are, engine idling and fumes rising.
For example, in 2002, Johnny Roadblock said thumbs down to Mark Warner and other area lawmakers who thought the people of Hampton Roads were responsible enough to determine for themselves whether they should raise their own taxes to pay for regional transportation improvements. (House Bill 1296)
As Gov. Warner noted at the time: "I strongly support the right of the people in Hampton Roads to vote, and I think they're going to have a chance to vote this fall." (Virginian-Pilot, February 28, 2002)
Not Johnny Roadblock, though. Not only did he vote against Gov. Warner's plan and then campaign with Republicans to defeat it, but he also wanted to raise taxes on all Virginians. "Joannou argued that taxes should be raised for the entire state if additional dollars are needed for road building." (Virginian-Pilot, February 28, 2002)
"Just Say 'No!'" isn't a plan, and obstructing solutions offered by others for a decade hasn't gotten our traffic moving.
Today's the day, Johnny Roadblock. Will you see the Light and work with Tim Kaine to solve our transportation problems?