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Hmm. Just for amusment, let's look at what NVTC said a few days ago:

We can't appoint Dyke to the WMTA board because:

1)The state proposal is to provide a primary appointee AND an ALTERNATE

A: "But Connaughton had said that the state is only looking for one seat on the Metro board."

2)There are some serious legal questions as to whether the Governors budget amendment may violate the WMATA Compact and even the rules of NVTC as outlined by the General Assembly and mirrored in the Compact.

A: Nonsense. The WMATA rules say NVYC will nominate someone. It doesn't say who. In terms of the NTVC rules, I can't answer that -- but clearly by appointing Dyke to the NVYC yesterday their serious legal question is answered.

3. "The NVTC and its localities haven’t said they won’t sign the agreement. They simply want to make sure they aren’t signing something that may put NVTC, their jurisdictions or Metro in legal jeopardy down the road. "

Yep, and the Governor has said the money will come once they appoint Dyke to the WMATA board. Legal jeopardy? Standing my ass.

4."The money in question is programmed by the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) in the FY 2012 six year improvement plan (SYIP). "

I like how in NVTC own finaical statement, they recgonize it is state money.

5. The 2.1% Motor Vehicle Fuels Sales Tax is completely separate from all of the monies in question"

Yep. The money here goes directly to NVTC. A 2.1% tax is fine. If they want to give up on the state money -- about $110 M last year -- they can triple the tax. Or quadruple it. An 8% sales tax on gas means an extra quarter a gallon at the current rate.

Three related points:

1. Why does the NVTC exist? I suggest we kill it. They don't DO anything.

2. The regional gas tax is a percentage -- which means it has declined quickly after prices collapsed in 08. Dangers of percentage taxing.

3. The links suggests that having a represenative on the Govenror on the WMATA board will mean more "insulation". I'd suggest the opposite. This hou-hah shows how out of control regional VA politicans are, and the need to smack down the boards of MWAA, NVTC and WMATA. They all deserve to be fired. I may not like the Governor, but he made a good choice for the board member, and we need to do something.

by charlie on Oct 7, 2011 10:08 am • link • report