Virginia tries to pay back transit taxes

The Washington Times ^ | 3-6-08 | Seth McLaughlin

[JZelle]

RICHMOND — State and local officials today will start trying to figure out how to refund $8.3 million in tax money collected by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA).

"It's something I am not very clear on," said Sen. William C. Wampler Jr., Bristol Republican. "I think it is very complicated and sets up a whole other dynamic. Obviously, if the courts tell us it needs to be done, we need to find out a way to do it."

The Virginia Supreme Court ruled Friday that the General Assembly did not have the power to give the NVTA, a 13-member unelected body, authority to raise taxes for regional road and rail projects.

The authority, to the delight of the conservatives behind the constitutional challenge, plans to meet today at Fairfax City Hall to discuss possible refund mechanisms.

"When you steal, the first thing they tell you in confession, is to give the money back," said Delegate Robert G. Marshall, Prince William Republican and sole lawmaker named in the court challenge.

Kala Quintana, an NVTA spokeswoman, said the authority had taken in $8.3 million since January when they began collecting the taxes and fees. NVTA on Monday ordered local and state agencies to stop collecting the menu of taxes.

Miss Quintana said officials were confident about the prospects of refunding the money. The NVTA-imposed taxes to raise money for road projects include an annual $10 fee on state vehicle inspections, 5 percent tax on auto repairs and 2 percent tax on hotel stays.

"It's not as if this kind of thing has never happened before," Miss Quintana said. "Models exist, and we have dedicated folks who are looking into the issue and are identifying solutions."

[org.whodat]

Simple doofus, don't charge for stickers for the next four years. Sometimes Wampler is no smarter than his dad. I would send him an email, but it is a wast of time to try and communicate with elected people in virginia.