Talk:Hampton Roads Transportation Authority

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There needs to be a section on the controversy surrounding the HRTA. Specifically, the dubious Constitutionality of the HRTA and the unelected nature of it's members clasing with the principle of "No Taxation without Representation". —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.160.129.166 (talk) 23:47, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

Suggestion: This is time sensitive as current Supreme Court of Virginia rulings may jeopardize if and how this project is funded. They've already ruled the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority unconstitutional. [1] [2] [3]

This has severe ramifications for the questionable legalities of the HRTA, as the same premises were used as in the 2002 NVTA legislation. Also, several of the cities are refusing funding and requesting the HRTA be abolished:[4] Smw1983 (talk) 21:06, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Update and clarification

I have concerns that the above comments are to some degree inaccurate and also seem to be anti-authority POV. Please note:

• 1. There has been nothing ruled unconstitutional about either the new Northern Virginia authority, or by effect of law, the HRTA themselves.
• 2. The planned funding methods, with various taxes to be levied by the authorities, and not be either the local governments and/or the General Assembly, were ruled to be unlawful and unconstitutional, as their non-elected leaders (in their roles with the authorities) cannot levy taxes. So, currently, the authorities exist without a source of funds.
• 3. No localities have been asked for any funding for either authority, so the comment that "several of the cities are refusing funding" is incorrect.
• 4. The local politicians are working to address a major flaw, which was the fact that the Peninsula area felt shortchanged that a major problem to many of its citizens, relief on the HRBT, had not been adressed at all. Recent news reports from multiple sources indicate that resolving that omission may go a long way to bringing those communities back into the fold of togetherness in trying to find solutions that everyone can live with.
• 5. Since when is a Topix online bulletin board an appropriate source to cite for Wikipedia? How about the news media and articles which are quoting officials for better sources.
• 6. This whole situation is very complicated. I do not mean to infer any deliberate attempt to distort, but let's be careful to stay accurate as things develop.

Respectfully, Mark in Historic Triangle of Virginia (talk) 13:57, 24 March 2008 (UTC)