I for one have been beating this theme like a rented mule. It is Barbara Comstock who is putting reform as the central pillar or linchpin regarding the fiscal and operational rescue of WMATA.
Sadly local politicians ranging from Gerry Connelly in Congress to members of the Loudoun County board such as Chairwoman Phyllis Randall talk a good game but ignore the 800 lb Gorilla in the room, WMATA’s unions. These Democrats are more concerned with the preservation of their union contributions instead foisting the funding burdens onto taxpayers. They don’t mind throwing our tax dollars down the same rat hole as long as their union allies remain whole and escape being involved in the required reform process.
Their theme is simple. Because METRO “ moves” the federal workforce it is Congress that should provide the fiscal lifeline. They want to expand the number of pockets to be picked, meaning you the taxpayers and leave the union sweetheart deals in place.
Yes, the feds have a role, but making some family in Kansas pay the freight while WMATA’s unions continue to enjoy lopsided deals ignoring basic economics simply kicks the can down the road another decade and prolongs the agony. Giving them a pass rewards stupidity allowing WMATA to fail upward using other people’s money.
These are tough times for WMATA. The organization and its employee unions have dug themselves a 30 year hole creating the perfect storm for failure. Frankly, few from any party or local have provided the honesty and clarity of thought required to fix these issues over these many decades.
Congresswomen Comstock has provided a plan that at a minimum begins to take these organizations to task for previous errors and bad judgment.
A plan focused like a laser on much needed across the board reforms is the only sane approach that we should be advancing.
Gerry, Phyllis, call your office.
It’s reform Stupid!
