Last week’s Mason-Dixon poll, which found weak support for higher transportation taxes, is a solid message from taxpayers and drivers, according to Del. Clay Athey, R-Front Royal.
“The people of Virginia believe that we have enough money to have a fine transportation system,” said Athey, one of the leaders of the House’s transportation efforts. “The message we’re getting [from voters] is ‘fix it with some innovative ideas.'”
GOP lawmakers held a retreat recently to talk strategy, and the end result is some decidedly new options when it comes to the state’s road problems.
Republicans are going to be “coming out with some innovative and creative ways to address the problem that doesn’t involve raising taxes,” said Del. Todd Gilbert, R-Woodstock.
It remains to be seen whether their ideas will be “innovative and creative.” But who wants to wager whether the Democrats have held a retreat to discuss transportation options in light of the effective road blocking by House Republicans and the recent Mason-Dixon poll.
I don’t make much of the anti-tax results of the poll. I think the anti-tax bias is more from the Democrats’ inability to outline the benefits of higher taxes. You can’t just say, “More money equals a faster commute.” People are more willing to volunteer, follow your lead or spend money — doesn’t matter what — when they have some specifics. You need to outline the specific projects and expected benefits.
But that would mean Democrats would need to sit around and strategize a bit. Or hold a retreat.
Don’t hold your breath.