Time for I&R in Virginia?
Yesterday’s Washington Times reported the unelected Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) was expected “to approve seven taxes and fees” this evening. Oh yes, most of Northern Virginia’s 16 Grand Solons on the NVTA are correct to point out that they’ve been elected, but that’s in their own jurisdictions. But how do taxpayers in Arlington hold NVTA members accountable? Sure, a member of the Arlington County Board is on the NVTA, but the sovereign citizens of Arlington didn’t elect him to the NVTA – only to the County Board.
So, is it time for Initiative & Referendum (I&R) in Virginia? Perhaps Arlington citizens need to look for advice to the citizens of Washington State? Last Saturday’s Seattle Times reported:
“An initiative intended to make it tougher for the Legislature to increase taxes, and for state agencies to increase fees, appears headed for the November ballot.”
Seems it may be time for the citizens of Virginia to take back the state from the political elite, or at least put them on a much shorter leash.