County traffic solutions are being shortchanged

Mike Hodge
Published: July 19, 2008

Much is being made of the cost of the recent General Assembly special session where transportation solutions would have helped residents of Prince William County, and I agree that it is absolutely
unconscionable for our representatives to take $120,000 in taxpayer money to accomplish nothing on this all-important issue.

It’s important for residents to know that there were multiple plans proposed for viable transportation solutions.

The senate, the governor, and House Democrats all proposed solutions that helped us in Northern Virginia help ourselves while also providing revenue to other parts of the state so we can keep more of
our own money safe from raids by downstate projects. 

Each of these plans included approximately $300 million for Northern Virginia per year. The only proposal that was not sufficient was that put forward by House Republicans.

We all are struggling through economic hardships, but there are some services that simply should not, and cannot be touched, including funding for education, public safety, healthcare and our roads.

When fully implemented, the House Republican transportation plan included diverting future money from education and public safety to the tune of $900 million a year, $600 million of which would come
from tax proceeds from Dulles and Reagan National Airports in Northern Virginia.

Although I strongly believe that we need more funding for our roads, I believe more strongly that we can’t build roads on the backs of our school children,police and other public safety personnel.

Prince William County deserve legislators whose deeds reflect the peoples best interest. Doing nothing is not an option!

MIKE HODGE

Montclair