As of yesterday, Northern Virginia motorists began paying $300 million in new taxes designed to allow the legislature to increase spending on social projects. Last year, the same bipartisan legislative compromise that created the unpopular civil remedial fees also created the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA). This unelected body was handed the authority to raise taxes on drivers without involving elected lawmakers. State Delegate Robert Marshall (R-Prince William) lambasted the bill that created the taxing authority on the House floor just prior to its adoption because it allowed NVTA members to impose new taxes after an election.

"I cannot vote for this bill because there are too many subterfuges in here trying to avoid responsibility and accountability," Marshall said. "Members of these regional governments -- and they are regional governments -- don't even have to vote on this until December. What's interesting about December? It's a month and a half after the election. They can all promise 'I'm not going to vote to raise any taxes' and then afterward they can vote to do it."

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