Although the accent was Hampton Roads, the context of the Transportation Town Hall assembled by Peter Schmidt last week was Virginia writ large. This crisis affects all Virginians. Here are some remarks from an evening event arranged to better frame a problem some claim can be solved by simply shifting revenues.
In each of these clips, the order of speakers is Dwight Farmer, Executive Director of the HRPDC, Aubrey Layne, Commissioner of the Commonwealth Transportation Board then Mike Barrett, CEO of The Runnymede Corporation. Although Mr. Farmer provides a Hampton Roads emphasis, substitute any set of regional issues and place them in the crucible of Commissioner Layne’s observations, then notice how Mike Barrett’s discussions apply statewide.
This is not a situation that will easily be resolved by a fiscal slight of hand such as Public-Private Partnerships. It is not a situation that will be solved through “lowering taxes to raise revenues” or any other of the standard laments of those who claim that less is more. Unfortunately, these are myths that look to have been successfully perpetrated and, like Santa Claus, will disappoint in the not too long run.
Peter Schmidt is challenging incumbent Delegate Harry “Bob” Purkey (R-Virginia Beach) for his seat in the 82nd district. Purkey, Chairman of the Finance Committee is one of those who have done so much to obstruct progress over the past two decades.
Cross posted at VBDems
Blue Virginia
