State Senate Approves additional $300 million for Phase Two of Silver Line (Herndon: house, high school)

[Caladium]

After weeks of political showmanship from both parties, the Virginia Senate has finally passed a state budget that includes an additional $300 million for Phase Two of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project. The proposal will now be sent to the House of Delegates for debate.

[stpickrell]

This will help keep tolls down. The kabuki dance about rail to Loudoun will continue.

[brooklynborndad]

Originally Posted by stpickrell

This will help keep tolls down. The kabuki dance about rail to Loudoun will continue.

wait - is it 300 million toward the whole thing, including the loudoun piece, or 300 million toward whatever gets built? I would assume if the line terminates at the airport the commonwealth contribution gets reduced proportionately.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by stpickrell

This will help keep tolls down. The kabuki dance about rail to Loudoun will continue.

It's all for show. Politicians being politicians.

[brooklynborndad]

Originally Posted by Caladium

It's all for show. Politicians being politicians.

do you actually know any local politicians personally? I know one member of the FFX bd of supervisors, and a couple of members of the FFX school board. One of my best friends from high school was a member of the city council of NYC. I can certainly tell you my old friend did not do things for show, he is one of the most sincere, honest people I have had the pleasure to know. I cannot speak as certainly for the FFX folks, but my sense is that when they debate large pieces of infrastructure costing hundreds of millions of dollars, its pretty serious.

really would it be okay to say something like this about businesspeople, or computer scientists, or some more favored line of work?


We in America disrespect elected officials as a class, regardless of individual behavior, and then we complain

Loudoun's Eugene Delgaudio: How'd he ever get elected

about the low quality of people who run for office.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by brooklynborndad

do you actually know any local politicians personally?

LOL, actually yes I do know a few. One, in fact, lives just a few doors down. And yes, I think a lot of what politicians do is for show. A lot of what they do is about trying to get the best deal or spin they possibly can, and many times that involves playing games.

Business people have games they play, too. And so do many scientists. Anyway, enough on this--let's get back on topic.

[brooklynborndad]

Originally Posted by Caladium

A lot of what they do is about trying to get the best deal or spin they possibly can, and many times that involves playing games.

logrilling lubricates the system. Spin is only words. Passing a non substantive resolution for show, is part of the game.

Having a debate about a major piece of infrastructure, in a situation like this where it could impact the project timetable, where it is angering the neighboring jurisdiction, PURELY for show, is something a bit beyond. I am sure some pols might do that. I am quite sure not all would.

Rather say Loudoun pols are Loudoun pols, or the current GOP bd is the current GOP bd - saying pols are pols is just relieving them of responsibility.

[Caladium]

Sounds like a debate for another thread. This one is about the State Senate approving $300 million for Phase Two of the Silver Line.

And yes, I do think that politicians, in general, and in every county, engage in showmanship.

[tysonsengineer]

So does loudoun now want their portion to be done for free? :P

I still hope they end it at Dulles, and the first parking station one is Herndon Monroe. Should teach you guys to look a gift horse in the mouth. Just my opinion though.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by tysonsengineer

So does loudoun now want their portion to be done for free? :P

I don't know that $300 million would get it done for free. But you betcha the goal is to lower our portion of the bill.