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Posted Nov. 1, 2002

Tax Hike Bad Public Policy

To the editor:

Like many people, I have pondered how to vote on the sales tax increase referendum. I know that over the years, state and county government zoning and land use policies, combined with a lack of comprehensive transportation planning for our growing metropolitan area, have led to gridlock in northern Virginia.

I recognize that gridlock and I want to see it systematically addressed for the sake of all of us. And, I want to support Gov. Warner and his efforts to put Virginia¯s finances back in order after Jim Gilmore¯s colossal mismanagement.

But, in the final analysis, I cannot vote for the proposal, not only because it is a terrible public policy, but also because it is unlikely to solve the problem. It is bad policy because it is a classic regressive tax, with a disproportionate share of the burden falling on lower-income people who must spend the greatest part of their earnings on items taxed. It is particularly harsh during economic recessions such as we are experiencing today. Also, the projects it will fund over 20 years are not part of a comprehensive plan for a transportation system, but are the same ad hocery that got us to the gridlock we have today.

It also will increase sprawl and the use of fossil fuels, likely further damaging our air quality, and while the funds generated by the tax increase itself will stay in Northern Virginia, the same legislature in Richmond that got us here, is certain to reduce our priority and appropriations of state resources precisely because we have these funds.

Finally, the Transportation Authority established to guide the use of the funds is not a technical body, but a political debating group composed of elected officials from the various local governments in the region, each with veto power to stop any project affecting their city or county. Imagine the farcical situations this is going to create.

When all is said and done, what will the transportation picture look like at the end of 20 years? It likely will be no better than today. The tax increase will not bring rail to Dulles and beyond§the proposal offers to fund a mere 10 percent of what is needed for that project, the one project that offers the prospect for some genuine improvement!

The elected officials who devised this scheme and their developer supporters (who stand to make billions from the revenues of the tax increase) tell us the reason we should vote "yes" is that this is the best that this Virginia legislature can do.

Let¯s send them a clear message, from those of us who will suffer the consequences of such poor policy, that this lowest common denominator is not nearly good enough§go back and do it right. Vote "no" on Nov. 5.

John Lovaas

Reston

Former President of the Reston Citizens Association