The Bull Elephant
  • Home
  • About The Bull Elephant
  • Fun Stuff
  • Contact The Bull Elephant
Latest Posts
E Pluribus Unum– a reflection of who Republicans...
Socialism’s Great Myths – Back Again
Biden Makes an Appearance
I am a Born Again Christian and why...
Sunday Memes–Celebrating our Independence
The Truth About the Modern Virginia Democrat Party
Musings on Independence Day

The Bull Elephant

  • Home
  • About The Bull Elephant
  • Fun Stuff
  • Contact The Bull Elephant

Get Ready for Tolls on I-66 – UPDATED

written by Mick Staton February 10, 2016

Do you remember how outraged you got when you heard that Governor McAuliffe had a plan to make I-66 a toll road?  Do you remember all those ads the Republican Party of Virginia paid for saying what a horrible idea that was?  Do you remember all the Democrat politicians and candidates declaring their steadfast opposition to any kind of plan to put tolls on I-66?

Well guess what’s coming down the pike?  That’s right.  GET READY FOR TOLLS ON I-66!!!

In a announcement made Wednesday, the Governor is declaring that a deal has been reached that will have toll booths on I-66 inside the beltway starting in 2017.  The plan is almost exactly what was proposed before the November elections except that they will move up the widening of east bound I-66.

From the Washington Post:

Under the deal announced Wednesday, the cost of the widening, located in a stretch where traffic is heaviest, will be financed through the state budget, at a cost of up to about $140 million, state transportation officials said. It also will be done years earlier than envisioned.

 

The deal anticipates that the General Assembly would kill legislation that blocked tolling before widening. That includes House Bill 1, sponsored by Del. James M. LeMunyon (R), whose district includes parts of Fairfax and Loudoun counties.

 

Under an agreement with the state, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission will pick a set of programs designed to help I-66 commuters leave their cars behind and allocate some of the toll revenue to those programs. The programs would be in effect before the widening is completed.

Del. Jim LeMunyon was apparently a central player in this deal.  From the Loudoun Times-Mirror:

“My colleagues and I made the case for widening I-66 inside the beltway,” LeMunyon said. “I’m glad there is now consensus on the need to do this as soon as possible. This is a step forward in our efforts to address the gridlock on I-66 within the limits of current budget resources.”

Democrat Senators Chap Peterson (Fairfax), Jeremy McPike (Prince William), and Jennifer Wexton (yes, the same Loudoun Democrat who called her opponent, Steven Hollingshead, a liar for saying she supported the tolls) issued a joint statement PRAISING the tolls deal.

Senator Dick Black, who had previously signed a joint letter with other members of the Northern Virginia Delegation urging the Governor to prioritize widening I-66, said he was not involved in any deal that would trade widening for tolls, and remains adamantly opposed to any plan to put tolls on I-66.  He has twice voted against tolls on I-66 as a member of the NVTC and continues his opposition.

Folks, this is a perfect example of the pre-election opposition/post-election deal-making that has people completely fed up and furious with their government.  We fought these tolls before the election.  Our elected officials and candidates promised us they would fight these tolls before the elections.  Now that the elections are over, however, and power has been placed back in their hands, they are singing a different tune, and it just plain stinks to high heavens.

I urge everybody to call their Delegates and Senators and tell them that you expect them to keep the promises they made during the campaign just three short months ago.  Tell them that when we said “no tolls on 66,” we meant “NO TOLLS ON 66!!!”

UPDATE:  LeMunyon’s bill to stop the tolls, HB-1, was quietly tabled by a voice vote in the Transportation sub-committee of the House Appropriations committee on Wednesday.  This is how they play the game.  While the bill is technically not dead, the plan is to never let it out of the sub-committee.  Now all your favorite Delegates and Senators can swear they would have voted against tolls “if only they had gotten the chance.”

Not good enough.  Call your Delegates and Senators (Republican and Democrat) and tell them how you feel.  Tell them to bring HB-1 back off the table and let it have it’s day on the floor of the House.  Let’s have a recorded vote and see if there are enough votes to send it to the Senate.

Here is a link to the members of the Transportation Sub-Committee that tabled the bill.  Let them know you want the bill taken off the table and allowed a floor vote.

Here is a link to find your legislator.  Let them know that you want HB-1 to have a full recorded vote, or you can send an email to:

[email protected]  to send a message to all members of the VA House of delegates.

For Senators, if you know your Senate District, their email address is district”##”@senate.virginia.gov (e.g. [email protected]).

 

 

 

Get Ready for Tolls on I-66 – UPDATED was last modified: February 11th, 2016 by Mick Staton

Like this:

Like Loading...
Dave LeMunyonI-66 tollsTerry McAuliffe
0 comment
Mick Staton

Devoted husband and father of five, Mick is a recovering politician who now works in the software development field. He has spent most of his life involved in politics, starting out working for his father's Congressional campaigns in WV when he was 8 years old. Since moving to Loudoun County Mick has served as a precinct captain, district chairman, Loudoun County YR Chairman, and was elected to the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors in 2003.

Your life will be better if you click one of these

E Pluribus Unum– a reflection of who...

July 7, 2025

Socialism’s Great Myths – Back Again

July 6, 2025

Biden Makes an Appearance

July 6, 2025

I am a Born Again Christian and...

July 6, 2025

Sunday Memes–Celebrating our Independence

July 6, 2025

The Truth About the Modern Virginia Democrat...

July 5, 2025

Musings on Independence Day

July 3, 2025

The Problem of Unmoored Legal Rhetoric

July 2, 2025

Meme(s) of the Day

July 2, 2025

Democrat Pickpockets

July 1, 2025

Leave a Comment

Fun Stuff

  • Sunday Memes–Celebrating our Independence

  • Meme(s) of the Day

  • Sunday Memes–Bombs Away

  • Meme of the Day

  • Meme(s) of the Day

Advertisement

Advertisement

Sign Up for Email Alerts


Select list(s):

Check your inbox or spam folder now to confirm your subscription.

Advertisement

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

@2017 Bull Elephant Media LLC.


Back To Top
%d