VIRGINIA BRIEFING
VIRGINIA BRIEFING
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TRANSPORTATION FUNDS
Legality of Package Is Debated
Lawyers argued in Arlington County Circuit Court yesterday over the constitutionality of a regional transportation package that the General Assembly approved this year.
On behalf of Loudoun County and some individuals, attorneys for opponents of the package said the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority cannot impose taxes because its governing body is not elected.
Attorneys for the state and the transportation authority countered that the authority is not a county, city or regional government and is not subject to rules about taxation by those entities.
They also contended that the legislature can enact any law not prohibited by the state or federal constitution.
Yesterday's bond validation hearing was initiated by the transportation authority last month, shortly after it approved $300 million in annual road spending to be financed by issuing bonds and raising taxes. The court proceeding is allowed by public, debt-issuing entities to quickly settle legal questions.
Judge Benjamin N.A. Kendrick could issue a ruling as early as today. But more legal action against the $1 billion statewide transportation package is coming in Richmond, where some opponents involved in yesterday's hearing have filed a separate suit.
-- Amy Gardner
FAUQUIER COUNTY
Chief Sought as Classes Begin
The Fauquier County public schools began the 2007-08 academic year yesterday amid a search for a superintendent for the 11,100-student system.
A bulletin posted on the system's Web site indicated that the School Board expects to fill the post "as soon as practical." Dale Sander, until recently the Fredericksburg superintendent, has been named acting superintendent until a replacement is selected for J. David Martin, whose retirement is effective Saturday.
Spotsylvania County, with about 24,300 students, also opened the school year yesterday.
The school year begins next Tuesday in Alexandria, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park and in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Stafford counties.
CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
2 Va. Tech Students Released
Two Virginia Tech students hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning last week have been discharged from the University of Virginia Medical Center, a hospital spokeswoman said yesterday.
Kristin L. Julia of Ashburn and Kirsten W. Halik of Vienna were among nearly two dozen people treated after elevated levels of the deadly gas were discovered in an off-campus apartment complex the day before the 2007-08 school year began in Blacksburg.
