Traffic jam in Richmond

The Pilot has a great piece on the woeful state of affairs in the Commonwealth’s House. Virginia is fast approaching a point in our funding of transportation that the Commonwealth will only be able to afford basic road maintenance. No new projects for gridlocked NoVa and no desperately needed Third Crossing into Hampton Roads. The primary reason we find ourselves in such a fix is the inability of the Republican House to work with the State Senate or the Governor on any sort of compromise that increases revenue. They argue that we need to cut the money from health care and education to fully fund road construction (as if the state’s education resources are some vast reservoir of ready cash). That idea is just unrealistic. There is not enough money in health care or Ed. to fund transportation if we want our schools and hospitals to open their doors. Really, it is just stupid.

The House’s intransigence on new funding (i.e. higher taxes, tolls, fees) means that projects cost more because we wait to start them. The whole thing is penny wise and pound foolish. This madness has gone on for years. Now, with statewide elections coming next year, the logjam may be about to break. Put simply, George Allen’s defeat at the hands of a political neophyte signaled to Virginia’s leaders that no one is safe. Perhaps the fear of going back to civilian life will be enough of a push to get something meaningful done. Otherwise, make sure the next car you buy has comfy seats. You could be there for a while.