| Pay
Now, Or Pay More Later |
| This area is divided on the viability of the half-cent sales
tax increase to pay for local transportation projects. If
a referendum on the Nov. 5 ballot is approved, the measure
would give residents of Northern Virginia, not Richmond or
other out-state jurisdictions, the opportunity to decide for
themselves where they want their tax money spent. |
| A regional authority, controlled by elected officials from
Northern Virginia, would make those transportation decisions
that would span a 20-year period. The referendum also says
that at least 40 percent of the funds must be spent directly
on mass transit projects, with 20 percent being spent on HOV
lanes and parking. The remaining 40 percent would go to other
transportation projects. |
| The extra half-cent sales tax will not be added to the purchase
of food or prescriptions. |
| The arguments pro and con are plenty, but they generally
break down like this: |
| ‘ Those in favor of the tax say that it allows local jurisdictions
to take control. |
| "This referendum returns the half-cent right here, to the
point of sale," Katherine K. Hanley, chairman of the Fairfax
County Board of Supervisors, recently said in an interview. |
| "We do not live in isolation," said Michael J. Lewis, chairman
of the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce. "This is about
investing in our future." |
| ‘ Opponents of the referendum say the tax is wasteful and
unnecessary. Many who oppose the referendum oppose most tax
increases. Some environmentalists say the extra tax would
only add to pollution. |
| "The scam is, if this passes, legislators will continue
to divert money to other parts of the state," James T. Parmelee,
president of Republicans United for Tax Relief, recently told
The Washington Post. |
| "The outer bypasses this includes will overwhelm any transit
benefits," said Stewart Schwartz, executive director of the
Coalition for Smarter growth. |
| Republicans generally oppose the referendum, although Rep.
Thomas M. Davis II and Sen. John W. Warner recently sided
with Democratic Gov. Mark R. Warner, who supports the measure. |
| Most business owners, developers, chamber of commerce officials
and transportation officials support the tax increase. The
Herndon Town Council is considering a position on the measure
and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors already has endorsed
the referendum. |
| While the measure certainly is complex and has an unknown
outcome, to do nothing, especially when it will cost the average
taxpayer only about $125 a year if the referendum is passed,
would be foolhardy. We will pay for our roads¤now or later.
And later will be much more expensive. |
| If the half-cent sales tax increase is defeated, eventually
we will pay for transportation through our property taxes,
and that would be at a much greater rate. |
| Also, it has been estimated that as much as 38 percent of
the taxes collected through the increase will come from visitors
and other non-Northern Virginia residents. In that aspect,
the sales tax increase is much like hotel and motel taxes
which are paid by travelers. |
| The argument that more money for roads and mass transit
will mean more growth and sprawl, and that as mass transit
increases it will mean that traditional roads will become
less crowded hence encouraging drivers to take to the road
again, is an argument without merit. |
| This area has been infamous for homes and business parks
being developed before the transportation infrastructure was
ever put in place. That continues unabated even today. While
better local legislation is needed to assure that roads are
built before developing can proceed, better transit, paid
with by a small increase in the sales tax, would help alleviate
the matter. |
| An increase in the sales tax is not a panacea to our overwhelming
transportation problems, but to do nothing would only make
the situation worse. |
| We must bite the bullet and cough up the extra $125 a year
now to improve this dismal situation. |
| Pay it now, or pay much more later. Your choice. |
| And that's Our Town this week. |
