Monday, September 10, 2012

George Allen publicly opposes Bob McDonnell’s proposal for I-95 toll in Sussex County


U.S. Senate candidate George Allen publicly stated his opposition to the toll being entertained by Gov. Bob McDonnell for I-95 in Sussex County, located in Southern Virginia.

According to Allen, “Southern Virginia already faces significant economic challenges and these tolls could disadvantage job-creating businesses in the region, and the hardworking Virginia families already suffering from skyrocketing fuel costs.”[1]

For once, I agree with Mr. Allen. One of the last areas of Virginia that new tolls should be added is the economically challenged southern portion of the state.

A toll’s lifespan is only supposed to encompass the time it requires to pay for a given infrastructure project. For instance, if you construct a toll on the James River bridge, the toll is only supposed to be used until upgrades or new construction has been entirely paid off.

The toll being proposed in Sussex County appears, however, to be little more than a money maker for the state government. McDonnell has attempted to defend his proposal by claiming that “a large number” of vehicles that pass through this stretch of the I-95 corridor are from out-of-state.[2] But even George Allen doesn’t buy this argument!

The Kaine campaign also responded to McDonnell’s proposal. “An over-reliance on toll revenues across Virginia is the direct result of elected officials like George Allen who put no-tax-ever pledges over the best interests of Virginia’s families and businesses,”[3] Kaine for Virginia communications director, Brandi Hoffine, noted.

Instead of transgressing their politically untenable positions on tax increases, Republican politicians often resort to other forms of taxation, like tolls; So-called “small government” conservatives like Bob McDonnell want new revenue for the state coffers just as badly as any “liberal” politician.

Unlike liberals however, conservative politicians like McDonnell and Allen are more than willing to raise taxes on the middle[4] and working classes of Virginia.

The party of small government (i.e. the Republican Party) is truly the party of expansive taxation for those in society least able to shoulder the extra tax burden. Thus, unless you are a millionaire, if you vote Republican you are voting against your own economic interests.  

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