Darling: Why is UW System’s Reilly still here?

By   /  May 23, 2013  /  Accountability, Education, Featured, Finances, Legislature, News, Scott Walker, State Budgets, Supreme Court, transportation, Wisconsin  /  No Comments

alberta

By Ryan Ekvall | Wisconsin Reporter
MADISON – When the co-chair of the Legislature’s powerful Committee on Joint Finance says it might be best if you stepped down, you know you and your agency are in for a long, hard day.
“I can’t believe Kevin Reilly is still there,” Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills said of the [...]

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Court decision clouds future of Virginia toll roads

By   /  May 14, 2013  /  News, State Government, transportation, Virginia  /  1 Comment

TUNNEL TROUBLE: One circuit court judge's opinion that tolling in the Hampton Roads area is unconstitutional may place future public-private partnerships in Virginia in peril.

By Kathryn Watson | Watchdog.org, Virginia Bureau

ALEXANDRIA — Virginia’s love affair with public-private partnerships could be in peril.

A circuit court judge from Portsmouth ruled earlier this month that collecting tolls on an existing tunnel to pay for another tunnel is tantamount to raising taxes — and the un-elected Virginia Department of Transportation can’t do that under the Constitution of Virginia.

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PA drivers one step closer to paying higher fees, gas prices

By   /  May 7, 2013  /  Featured, News, Pennsylvania, State Government, Taxes versus Fees, transportation  /  No Comments

LONG ROAD: Pennsylvania lawmakers are in the throes of a discussion on whether or not to increase driver fees and potentially gas prices in order to get more funding for roads.

In 1997 a postage stamp cost 32 cents, a dozen eggs about $1.17, and a gallon of gas about $1.32.

It was also the most recent time Pennsylvania lawmakers touched the state gas tax to raise more money for roads and bridges, said Senate Transportation Minority Chair John Wozniak, D-Cambria.

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Could ire against transportation plan put VA’s Silver Line in the cross-hairs?

By   /  April 24, 2013  /  Governor, News, Politics, State Elections, State House, State Politics, transportation, Uncategorized, Virginia  /  No Comments

Gov. Bob McDonnell's transportation plan will devote $300 million to construction of the Silver Line Metro to Dulles over the next three years. (Photo by Stephen Barna, Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project)

By Carten Cordell │ Watchdog.org, Virginia Bureau
ALEXANDRIA — Gov. Bob McDonnell touted Tuesday that funds set aside for the Silver Line Metro project, from within his controversial transportation plan, would help lessen the burden on drivers using the Dulles Toll Road.
But while the first $100 million will be delivered when fiscal year 2014 starts July [...]

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While MWAA looks to Phase II, unions campaign for jobs

By   /  April 17, 2013  /  Labor relations, News, transportation, Uncategorized, Virginia Watchblog  /  1 Comment

MWAA CEO Jack Potter, right, and board chairman Michael Curto address the media following a board meeting last summer

By Carten Cordell │ Watchdog.org, Virginia Bureau
ALEXANDRIA — Wednesday’s meeting of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority’s board of directors focused in part on transitioning from the conclusion of Phase I of the $5.5 billion Dulles Metrorail Project and starting Phase II, an 11-mile stretch of rail to Washington-Dulles International Airport.
But while bid proposals for construction [...]

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