County yanks parking spaces in Rosslyn
Parking in Rosslyn became more difficult this week, after Arlington County quietly wiped out eight more on-street parking spaces in prime locations.
Those parking spaces had been heavily used by Rosslyn visitors and shoppers. But the County decided to replace the valuable spots with rental stations for the costly subsidized bicycle rental program (see prior blog post).
Subsidized rental bikes displaced 3 parking spaces on Fort Myer Dr. at Wilson Blvd.
And despite the County’s excessive hype (see press release), usage of subsidized rental bikes remains quite low. Even at peak hours, fewer than 20% of the bikes are rented out; and most of the time, usage is under 10%. (See real-time usage map).
The loss of on-street parking in Rosslyn means additional inconvenience for visitors to stores and attractions. It also hurts Rosslyn shops and restaurants, who depend on available parking to attract customers.
But that’s not all – it’s lost revenue as well. The County will lose parking meter proceeds from those spaces, and taxpayers will have to make up the difference. All eight spaces were heavily used at prime locations in heavily-developed Rosslyn, where on-street parking was already scarce:
- Clarendon Blvd. at N. Pierce St. – 2 spaces lost
- Fort Myer Dr. at Wilson Blvd. – 3 spaces lost
- N. Lynn St. at N. 19th St. – 3 spaces lost
Meters for those spaces were priced at $1/hour (Mon.-Sat., 8 am – 6 pm). Even if the spaces were used only half the time (a very conservative estimate), they would have generated over $10,000 per year for the County. That will be a recurring annual loss, since the conversion of the Rosslyn parking spaces appears to be permanent.
And that’s just for starters. The County has already announced plans to install even more subsidized rental bicycles along the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor, in Westover, East Falls Church and elsewhere. If those rental stations also replace on-street parking, that means additional revenue losses, as well as more inconvenience for visitors and businesses in those areas (not to mention the taxpayer subsidies for program expansion).
But the County seems little concerned about revenue loss or inconvenience to the public. The all-Democrat County Board regularly increases taxes, and pursues policies to frustrate motorists – including knee-jerk opposition to congestion relief on I-66 (see blog post), the abusive lawsuit against improvements on I-395 (see blog post), the highest car-tax rate in the region, ultra-strict enforcement of overtime parking, failure to require adequate parking at new development projects, and plans for a traffic-clogging trolley on Columbia Pike.
Sadly, the seizure of valuable on-street parking spaces for an under-used bike service seems to fit right in.
CivFed calls for tax cut, IG office
Civic groups in Arlington want tax relief for homeowners and greater oversight of County spending, as outlined in a resolution from the County Civic Federation on April 5.
CivFed recommended a several revisions to the County’s proposed FY2012 budget – and a 1.6-cent reduction in the real estate tax rate. (See news article and full CivFed report).
The plan would also provide funding to help relieve school crowding and to rehabilitate the Lubber Run Park amphitheater.
The County Manager’s budget proposal in February called for no change in the tax rate (see news report). But the all-Democrat County Board indicated it might actually increase the tax rate (see news article.). And with rising assessments, that’s a double whammy on most homewoners.
And it’s on top of repeated increases in County taxes over the past 12 years. Other jurisdictions in Northern Va. have reduced tax burdens on homeowners in recent years; but tax bills in Arlington continue to go up.
The Civic Federation also called for a new Inspector General’s Office to monitor Arlington County’s billion-dollar budget (see news summary and CivFed report).
Other jurisdictions with large budgets (including Fairfax County) already have an independent IG to audit programs, projects and expenditures. But Arlington County doesn’t allow independent reviews of its spending, despite numerous instances of wasteful/inefficient projects in recent years.
For example, the County Board’s over-hyped “Artisphere”, which cost taxpayers more than $6 million to renovate, is now running up huge operating deficits. Revenue is more than $600,000 below projections, and visitors are far below estimates as well. (See news article).
The CivFed resolution indicates growing demands from residents throughout Arlington for greater fiscal restraint in County government. But the all-Democrat County Board shows no signs of listening.
Recent news reports suggest that the Board plans even more spending increases (see news report) on a range of programs, and to ignore recommendations for tax relief and independent auditing.
In addition, County Board member Mary Hynes volunteered that the Arlington would be willing to increase its local subsidy to the bloated Metro system (see news report) — adding still more financial burden to Arlington taxpayers. (Hynes sits on the WMATA Board, but seems unwilling to force Metro to control its own costs.)
The County Board is scheduled to meet on Sat., April 16, to adopt the budget and tax rate for 2012.
County Board threatens new tax hike
The Arlington County Board wasted no time in undermining the new County Manager on the budget. The all-Democrat Board proposed raising the property tax rate once again, despite the Manager’s recommendation to hold the line. It’s another direct hit on Arlington homeowners and taxpayers.
County Manager Barbara Donellan introduced her budget proposal for 2012, which recommended keeping taxes and spending at current levels (see news article). Many believe the current budget is already overly generous — Arlington County spends more and taxes more than nearly every other jurisdiction in Northern Virginia (see news article). So the proposal to stay at 2011 levels represented very little restraint.
But even minimal restraint was too much for the big-spending County Board. They decided to propose raising the property tax rate by another 1% — so they’ll have “flexibility” to increase County spending even higher than current inflated levels (see news article). That’s in addition to proposed increases in parking meter rates, water and sewage fees.
The Board claims their budget plan “spends tax dollars wisely, delivers core services efficiently and makes intelligent investments” (see press release). But the record shows the all-Democrat Board eager to spend tax dollars on projects that are non-essential or even counter-productive:
- $1 million (so far) on subsidized bicycle rentals, at $7500 a bike (see blog post);
- $1.5 million on the abusive lawsuit against congestion relief on I-395, claiming “HOT lanes are racist” (see blog post);
- nearly $7 million for the new subsidized arts center in Rosslyn, plus $300,000 a year in operating costs (see news article);
- plans for a lavish $65 million swimming and fitness complex in a largely inaccessible park north of Crystal City (see news article);
- plans for a $250 million traffic-clogging trolley on Columbia Pike (see news article).
If taxes are increased again, that will simply provide more funds for the Board to spend on similar wasteful projects.
Worth noting: The new budget still fails to restore service hours at neighborhood libraries (see news article) — even though most citizens recognize libraries as “core services” that deserve a higher budget priority than the Board’s pet projects.
What’s next: State law requires the County Board to allow public comment on the new budget plan. Public hearings are set for March 22 and 24. And while Board members are usually tone-deaf to taxpayers, a strong showing at the hearings could convince them to back down from their latest tax-hike threat.
An open seat for 2012
It’s official – the 2012 campaigns will feature an open U.S. Senate seat from Virginia. That underscores the opportunity for a Republican pick-up here next year.
Incumbent Democrat Jim Webb announced today that he won’t run for a second term. There was already considerable speculation about Webb’s intentions, in view of his anemic fund-raising (see news report) and confusing positions.
Webb won a close race in the Democratic wave of 2006, after portraying himself as an independent centrist (and running as a Democrat-turned-Republican-turned-Democrat). But once in office, he was a reliable supporter of the Obama/Reid/Pelosi big-government agenda.
Webb voted for the wasteful stimulus bill in 2009, and the massive Obama health-care bill in early 2010. He made periodic public criticisms of the Administration — over the health bill (see Jan. 2011 news report) and on the President’s catering to the party’s left-wing base (see Dec. 2010 remarks in Arlington). But he still voted for the big-spending agenda: just weeks after last November’s election, he voted against earmark reform (see previous blog post); and in Feb. 2011, he voted to keep the massive health bill that he had criticized (see news report).
Webb’s departure means both parties will have open contests for the Senate seat in 2012. Two Republicans had already announced: former Sen. George Allen and Tea party activist Jamie Radtke. The GOP nominee will be selected by Republican primary in June 2012.
Democrats must now scramble to find a credible candidate. There has been public speculation about former Gov. (and now DNC Chairman) Tim Kaine, and former Cong. Tom Perriello, who was defeated last fall (see news analysis). But Kaine and Perriello have both tied themselves closely to Obama, who has lost considerable popularity in Virginia (see recent survey results).
Of course, the 2012 elections are still many months away, and there will likely be many shifts in the political landscape. And Virginia remains a highly competitive two-party state. But at this early stage, the departure of Jim Webb makes it more difficult for Democrats to hang on to the Virginia Senate seat next year.
Worth noting: Of the 33 U.S. Senate seats up next year, 23 are currently held by Democrats and only 10 by Republicans. The GOP needs just four more seats to regain the majroity.
HOT lanes suit imposes heavy toll on Arlington
The County Board’s outrageous lawsuit against congestion relief for I-395 has finally been dropped, but only after inflicting serious damage on Arlington and the region.
The suit hurts Arlington residents, taxpayers and motorists in at least four different ways:
- Legal fees: The County Board paid $1.5 million in tax dollars to their outside law firm.
- Lost tax revenue: The legislature suspended the County’s hotel tax (worth $3 million) because of Arlington’s misbehavior.
- Damaged reputation: Arlington’s image was seriously compromised by the Board’s outrageous charges of racism and personal harassment of individual public officials.
- Traffic congestion: With the loss of improvement plans for I-395, traffic on that already-congested highway will get even worse.
The only “winners” were the County’s high-priced contract lawyers and the predictable cadre of anti-mobility activists who promote traffic congestion. The legal fees are staggering in size (see blog post and news article), wildly overspending the County’s legal budget. But the County never questioned the lawyers’ fees, or their heavy-handed legal tactics.
The lawsuit made baseless charges of racial discrimination and threatened four public officials with personal financial liability. The strong-arm legal tactics were widely condemned – and rightfully so. Even Arlington’s all-Democrat legislative delegation finally criticized the Board’s legal tactics (see news article) – although they waited too late for their concerns to have any impact.
There has been predictable backlash in Richmond against the Board’s abusive tactics. House Speaker Bill Howell (R) and Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Colgan (D) both condemned the lawsuit (see news article). The House refused to renew Arlington’s hotel tax (see news article), so County taxpayers will now have to make the up the difference.
But perhaps the largest and least-reported negative impact of the County Board’s abusive lawsuit is the adverse impact on traffic in Arlington, due to the cancellation of I-395 improvements.
VDOT had been trying to improve traffic on both I-395 and I-95, by installing high-occupancy toll lanes (“HOT lanes”). That would have meant extra capacity for buses, carpools and those willing to pay a toll. It would also have reduced congestion on I-395 local lanes, a distinct benefit to Arlington motorists. The plan had strong bipartisan support — from Gov. Kaine (D), Gov. McDonnell (R), political leaders of both parties in Fairfax County, and business leaders in Arlington and across Northern Va.
But despite the benefits to Arlington and widespread support (and despite Arlington’s previous indications of agreement), the all-Democrat County Board filed a surprise lawsuit against the project in 2009. VDOT tried for months to resolve the lawsuit, but the County Board persisted in dragging out the litigation. (That’s the same tactic the Board used for years on I-66 litigation — seeking more studies and endless delays, while making laughable claims of “willingness to cooperate.”)
VDOT’s recent decision to pull the plug on the I-395 project is understandable. The state will now be able to proceed with HOT lanes on I-95 south of the Beltway (in Fairfax and Prince William), without suffering more delay tactics from Arlington (see editorial).
But without HOT lanes inside the Beltway, traffic on I-395 will continue to worsen. That will discourage visitors from heading to Arlington destinations (a blow to restaurants and shopping areas in Shirlington, Crystal City, Pentagon City and Rosslyn). It means heavier back-ups on I-395 local lanes, an obstacle for everyone who uses that highway, including those going to and from nearby neighborhoods (Fairlington, Arlington Ridge, Nauck, Douglas Park, Penrose and Arlington View). And it means more traffic diverted onto nearby local roads (including Arlington Ridge Rd. and Walter Reed Dr.), another blow to neighborhoods in South Arlington.
Continued inaction on I-395 will ultimately reduce the attractiveness of Arlington for business relocation, despite our close-in location (see comments from Arlington Chamber of Commerce). Tysons Corner and other Fairfax County locations will gain a competitive advantage, especially when the new HOT lanes on I-95 and I-495 provide smoother traffic flow (compared to growing congestion on I-395). The prospect of an “inaccessible Arlington” will have less appeal.
Arlington’s one-party County Board has shown little regard for the thousands of local residents, motorists and businesses who must now suffer through ever-growing traffic backups on I-395. Once again, Board members have elevated their “we hate cars” ideology over and above the interests of everday Arlingtonians.
New year, new Moran outrage
Cong. Jim Moran (D-8th) is starting off the new year by insulting millions of American voters as racists.
The latest outrage came in Moran’s Jan. 25 interview with the Arab TV network Allhura, following the State of the Union speech (see news report). Moran charged that voters delivered a sweeping victory to House Republicans because of alleged racial hostility toward President Obama. He even claimed it was “the same reason the Civil War happened”.
Most members of Congress (in both parties) have worked to keep a civil tone in public discourse this year, in the wake of the Tucson tragedy. But Moran’s racially charged rhetoric is a flagrant exception. It marks yet another embarrassing outburst from Moran, who has also previously insulted military service (see separate blog post) and made anti-Semitic remarks (see news coverage), among other offenses.
His specious argument on the 2010 elections ignores the fact that American voters (whom he now insults as racist) had also elected Obama in 2008. And of course, it wasn’t the public’s racial views that changed in those two years. It was the growing opposition to the big-government, big-spending policies of Obama and Democrats in Congress (who are overwhelmingly white).
Moran also didn’t mention the two Congressional districts in the South where voters elected conservative African-American Republicans in 2010: Cong. Allen West (FL-22) and Tim Scott (SC-1). West and Scott both represent majority-white districts, and both succeeded white Democrats (see news article). Would Moran attribute those black GOP victories to white racism?
Moran’s reckless charge of racism also directly insults the 71,000 voters in Northern Virginia who supported his own Republican opponent last fall, including 21,000 here in Arlington. Does Moran seriously contend those voters are racist, simply because they didn’t vote for a Democrat? Is he arrogant enough to suggest that his own record in Congress (for higher spending and taxes, more earmarks, expanded government; and undermining the war on terror) was not the motivating factor for those voters?
Worth noting: Moran is not the only local Democrat to play the race card. The all-Democrat Arlington County Board made a similar baseless charges of racial discrimination in their absurd lawsuit on I-395 HOT lanes (see separate blog post). It’s difficult to decide whose race-baiting actions are more deplorable.
Their cynical statements and casual allegations of racism trivialize the true struggles of the civil-rights movement. What a dismal way to kick off the observance of Black History Month!
In the 30th, Dems offer ‘more of same’
Voters in South Arlington may wind up with yet another ineffective voice in Richmond, as the field of tax-and-spend Democrats lines up to succeed State Sen. Patsy Ticer (D-30th). She’s expected to retire after four lackluster terms in the Senate.
The field is not promising. Two have already announced (see news article):
- Adam Ebbin – State Delegate, 49th Dist. His major legislative goal has been a plan to impose new taxes on shopping bags at grocery stores (see news article). Ebbin is a vocal opponent of Gov. McDonnell’s plan to break up the state-owned liquor monopoly in Virginia (see blog post), and a regular supporter of higher state and local taxes. Fortunately, the GOP majority in the state House has rejected Ebbin’s tax-hiking views.
- Rob Krupicka – Alexandria City Council member. He and other Council Democrats have voted repeatedly to increase real-estate taxes in Alexandria. He now wants tax surcharges on commercial property (see news article), which he would divert for the wasteful Crystal City trolley project (see news article). In 2009, he voted to move Alexandria city elections from May to November (a hyper-partisan move to favor Democrats), despite widespread opposition from residents and civic groups (see news article).
And a third is expected to enter the race (see news article):
- Libby Garvey – Arlington County School Board member. She’s a regular advocate for higher spending in the school budget, and has supported the tax-and-spend-more views of the County Board and County Democrat organization. Garvey ran for Delegate in the 2005 Democrat primary, supporting higher state taxes (see news article) and finishing second in a 6-way field to David Englin (D-45th).
30th Senate District
The 30th Senate District currently extends into three localities, with 37% of the voters in South Arlington, 42% in the eastern half of Alexandria, and 20% in southeast Fairfax County (see district profile). The district lines may change this year, as a result of legislative redistricting.
The Democrats may spend eight months battling one another. There’s no early leader among the contenders, and this year’s primary is being pushed back to late August, due to redistricting (see news article and bill status). That’s just 11 weeks before the general election.
The 30th District is often considered to be a Democrat stronghold. But with the prospect of an extended primary campaign fight among Democrats, a short general campaign, and the absence of statewide races on the ballot in November, there could be an opening for a strong Republican candidate this year. (It’s happened before: Republican Bob Calhoun was elected to the 30th District Senate seat in 1989 and 1991.)
Prospective GOP hopefuls for the 30th District are encouraged to contact the local Republican committees in Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax.
Worth noting: Ebbin and Krupicka are Alexandria residents, but they may find less-than-solid Democrat support around the city in November. Both live in the Del Ray section, along with Englin and Mayor Bill Euille (D). The disproportionate influence of Del Ray in Alexandria politics has been a sore spot with residents of Old Town and other city neighborhoods.
campaign news page.
County wastes $1.2M on absurd HOT lanes suit
How much of our money will the Arlington County Board spend to block needed highway improvements? Apparently, the sky’s the limit, as the Board spends lavishly to inconvenience motorists who use I-395
The legal tab for the Board’s absurd claim that “HOT lanes are racist” now exceeds $1.2 million in County tax funds (see news articles in the Washington Examiner and Arlington Sun Gazette). And the bills continue to pile up.
The I-395 HOT lanes would provide new options for commuters on I-395 and I-95, and reduce congestion on the roadway in Arlington and points south (see project details). But the County Board filed suit in 2009 to block the project, despite the benefit to the region (see earlier blog post).
The allegation of racial discrimination is not only absurd, but also costly. The County has now shelled out over $1.2 million to a high-priced D.C. law firm. And the the meter is still running.
The legal free-for-all includes questionable filings by the County to harass other public officials simply for performing their duties — and threatens them personally with claims for monetary damages. The lawsuit goes after the a state official from the Kaine Administration (who is no longer in office), and even a mid-level federal civil servant in a Richmond field office (who simply reviewed the project under normal agency rules).
The County’s legal action also further delays efforts to improve highway travel in the I-395/I-95 corridor. That inconveniences motorists, and undermines Gov. McDonnell’s commitment to move ahead on long-delayed transportation projects in Northern Virginia (see news article).
And there’s more: The foolish lawsuit has generated new bipartisan animosity against Arlington in Richmond. The leaders of the General Assembly have understandably complained about the County Board’s lawsuit (see latest letter from House Speaker Bill Howell (R) and Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Colgan (D).)
Not surprisingly, the all-Democrat County Board has ignored the outcry against the lawsuit. So the highway delays continue, the legal bills continue to pile up, and Arlington’s credibility takes yet another hit.
Zimmerman’s exit: Good news for Metro
County Board member Chris Zimmerman (D) is finally stepping down from the Metro transit Board of Directors (see news report). His departure is long overdue, but it’s still a small ray of hope for reversing years of decline in the troubled transit agency.
Metro safety and reliability have collapsed during Zimmerman’s tenure, while fares have skyrocketed. Metro’s problems with safety and equipment have been documented in a series of sharply critical reports — from the National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Transit Administration, Tri-State Oversight Committee, and even by Metro’s own consultants.
And Zimmerman was a major obstacle to much-needed reform of the Metro system during his 12 years on the Board:
- He supported the disastrous John Catoe as General Manager, even after the tragic Red Line crash (see news report);
- he consistently denied well-documented safety and management problems with the system, trying to shift all blame to alleged underfunding (see news report);
- he blocked even small efforts to control costs (see news report);
- he diverted WMATA resources to wasteful new projects like the Columbia Pike trolley (see news report); and
- he regularly whined for more tax subsidies that he wanted to control (see op-ed column).
Zimmerman and his colleagues on the County Board have compounded Metro’s problems. The County Board has consistently pushed oversized developments into the Rosslyn-Ballston and Crystal City corridors, which adds to overcrowding of Metrorail stations, platforms and trains. And the County Board has fought highway improvements on I-66 and I-395, which undercuts efforts for imrproved express bus service.
But while Zimmernan’s exit from Metro is a small plus, his attempt to name his own successor is an outrage. He unilaterally announced that County Board member Mary Hynes (D) would succeed him, even though that’s not his appointment (see resignation letter).
Moreover, Hynes has been a supporter of Zimmerman’s flawed transit policies — including the wasteful Pike trolley and overdevelopment around Metrorail stations. She has no expertise in transit management, and has shown no interest in reforming the Metro system. Even Zimmerman acknowledged that her primary connection with transit is “living 1-1/2 blocks from a Metro station”.
Hynes’ appointment would fly in the face of the blue-ribbon Metro Reform Task Force report, which recommended a stronger role for Governors in appointing Metro Directors, and an end to local politicians on the transit board (see news report and blog post).
Instead, Zimmerman’s departure should be used as an opportunity to allow Gov. McDonnell to appoint a qualified transit expert to the Metro board. The transit agency needs a Virginia member who is committed to reform of the system, improving safety, controlling costs, and representing the interests of the entire region. Even the Washington Post agreed that the Governor deserves to be represented on the Metro Board (see editorial)
After years of failure, it’s time for Arlington politicians like Zimmerman and Hynes to back off, and allow the Governor to help get Metro back on track.
Va. judge strikes Obamacare mandate
A federal judge has agreed with Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli — the government requirement for everyone to buy health insurance violates the U.S. Constitution (see news article)
The Dec. 13 ruling by District Judge Henry Hudson strikes down the “individual purchase mandate” in the Obama Administration’s massive healthcare law. That bill was rammed through Congress under Democrat control in late 2009 and early 2010 (see news report), despite widespread public opposition (see opinion poll shortly before final vote).
Judge Hudson’s 42-page opinion carefully analyzed the arguments on both sides. He found no constitutional basis for a far-reaching federal mandate ordering citizens to purchase a commercial product like health insurance.
Court ruling struck down far-reaching federal mandate
“The unchecked expansion of congressional power to the limits suggested by the [federal statute] would invite unbridled exercise of federal police powers. At its core, this dispute is not simply about regulating the business of insurance — it’s about an individual’s right to choose to participate.”
(see Court opinion, p. 37)
Earlier this year, the General Assembly prohibited health-insurance purchase requirements in Virginia (see news article). That bill passed with bipartisan support, and was signed by Gov. McDonnell. And that helped to set the stage for challenging the federal law.
When Congress approved the intrusive Obamacare bill, the Virginia Attorney General’s office sued to block the purchase mandate (see news article). The Dec. 13 ruling agreed that the federal law went beyond the limits allowed by the U.S. Constitution.
The court battle isn’t over. The latest ruling will be appealed, and the issue will almost surely go to the U.S. Supreme Court. But the lawsuit by Cuccinelli, and the opinion by Judge Hudson, have set a solid framework for the coming legal debate. They have done much to uphold the prinicples of constitutional government.
And the prospective demise of Obamacare provides an opportunity for the new Republican-controlled House to pursue responsible health-reform ideas.
Also worth noting: Democrats in Virginia’s Congressional delegation voted for Obamacare. They must now answer why they supported a bill that was not only unpopular, but also unconstitutional. Sen. Jim Webb is up for re-election in 2012; likely Republican candidates include former Sen. George Allen and State Del. Bob Marshall. Cong. Jim Moran (D-8th) and Gerry Connolly (D-11th) will also face re-election in 2012.
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