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Despite $1.5 Billion Incentive, Rivalries Hinder Metro Plan
The $1.5 billion federal infusion called for in a House bill would go toward train, track and station maintenance and to relieve crowding.
(By Sarah L. Voisin -- The Washington Post)
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Metro, with its 106 miles of track and 140 miles of bus routes, is a complex institution. No one legislature, governor or mayor has the power to act on behalf of the region in creating a permanent source of revenue for Metro.
The governments that finance Metro already face significant challenges in funding transportation priorities that are entirely within their borders, such as the rail-to-Dulles project in Northern Virginia or the intercounty connector in the Maryland suburbs.
Which government would take the lead in proposing to divert some of the revenue it gets from a current tax to support the region's transit system, or to impose a tax for that purpose?
Political leaders planning their early strategies in the dense heat of August say they can see the outlines of an approach to the Davis challenge. Advocates of increased transportation spending want to use his requirement for regional action to loosen political stalemates.
The result could be different-flavored funding guarantees in each major area, something Davis said would be fine by him.
McCarthy, for instance, said D.C. officials could look favorably at a 0.5 percent sales tax increase to fund Metro.
It "is something we should seriously consider and look at, and he's inclined to support it," McCarthy said of the mayor. A panel of government and business advisers recommended adopting such a plan regionwide.
But McCarthy also said that Williams agreed with D.C. Council Chairman Linda W. Cropp (D) when she said the District should not be stuck covering too big a slice of Metro's budget. Some officials inside and outside the District worry that pushing that issue could muddy the regional bid.
"I think it's a mistake to piggyback that issue on a dedicated source of revenue, because we won't get far if we do that," said Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald E. Connolly (D). "It's not irrational for people to want to do that, but at the end of the day, we have to solve the issue of long-term funding for Metro."
Connolly is also counting on the District to lead by example. He said he expects to see a sales tax bill before the D.C. Council soon, which he hopes will pressure state legislators in Richmond to take over more Metro funding, the bulk of which is covered by taxpayers in Northern Virginia.
"The local governments don't have the resources to continue to pony up," Connolly said.
Virginia Transportation Secretary Pierce R. Homer said a new Virginia governor and General Assembly next year would have to weigh in on the state's response. A change in transit funding or a tax referendum would need approval in Richmond. He said he expects a protracted discussion but is encouraged by past successes.
