By Andrew P. Napolitano
The president's men trash the Constitution to pursue antagonists
Independent voices from the TWT Communities
The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday decided by a 5-4 margin to remain committed to the Dulles rail project, a $6 billion plan that promises a boost for economic development through the benefits of mass transit.
Virginia Attorney General Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II is betting against the General Assembly approving $150 million for the Dulles Metrorail project - a prospect that would throw a wrench into months of delicate negotiations among stakeholders who have finally reached a tentative accord on its financing.
When Virginia decided to hand over control of the Dulles Metrorail project to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority in 2006, the intention was to create a more cost-effective, better-managed project protected by the unelected board from fickle political winds.
Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell on Monday put his political weight behind the effort to get the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority board to reconsider its decision to build the more expensive of two Dulles Metrorail station options, calling the move a "stunning" blow to the collaborative process.
Loudoun and Fairfax county officials refuse to pay for the more-expensive Metro station at Washington Dulles International Airport that they had no role in approving.
The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority last night passed a package of local taxes and fees that could generate $300 million a year for road and rail projects, despite public challenges on whether the board has the legal power to do so.
The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority last night passed a package of local taxes and fees that could generate $300 million a year for road and rail projects, despite public challenges on whether the board has the legal power to do so.
"When all is said and done, we can accomplish anything we need to," board Chairman Scott K. York said, calling the decision the most significant in his more-than-20-year career. "I'm glad we're finally there. This project is necessary for the health of this community."
"There is still a lot of information on the cost of the project — it's all new numbers," he said. "I'm satisfied that we have reduced the cost. ... Again, this all started out with the impact this would have on toll rates. We've put together a less expensive project than what was originally being scoped out."
