Gov. Bob McDonnell and Virginia's two Senators are imploring the Pentagon to put off a shift of more than 6,000 Defense Department employees to Alexandria. Why? Because they fear the roads in Northern Virginia can't handle the traffic.
Virginia has known for years that base consolidation would bring more workers here. But it has failed to get ready, because state leaders — almost exclusively Republicans — have failed to take the necessary step: raising the gasoline tax, whose value has been greatly eroded by inflation.
To be sure: Contrary to the impression given by certain Democrats, raising the gasoline tax is not the only step the state should take to address road woes. Land-use planning needs an overhaul (Gov. Tim Kaine started work on that). Zoning rules need relaxing, and telecommuting, flextime and similar measures need encouraging.
But those workarounds will not suffice. Construction still needs to get done. And at present, it can't. Because there is just not enough money. Among those most to blame for the situation: Bob McDonnell.
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