Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Editorial: Don't blame VDOT
Republicans won't find $1 billion worth of inefficiency with yet another audit.
From the RoundTable blog
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Republicans in Richmond have revived one of their old standbys to justify their inaction on the state's transportation problems. They say they will consider funding options, but only after an independent audit of the Virginia Department of Transportation. The first eight audits apparently were not enough.
GOP leaders in the House of Delegates for years have balked at serious attempts to fix a transportation system careening toward failure. So, there was little surprise when they showed up in Richmond on Monday for a special session. They immediately punted and demanded the Democrat-controlled Senate act on legislation first.
Even if the Senate sends a bill back, the House would not rush into action.
No, Republicans first want to eke every last cent of efficiency from VDOT by ordering an independent audit.
Virginia needs about $1 billion more a year. Does the GOP really think it will find that much waste at VDOT?
Once upon a time, VDOT was an inefficient department, but not these days. As Gov. Tim Kaine pointed out, eight audits since 2001 transformed the department. The fat was found, cut and boiled into highway building materials. The department is a lean, mean, road-managing machine these days.
It is also one of the commonwealth's most transparent. Its Web site offers convenient access to data about upcoming and ongoing projects. Meanwhile, its companion Dashboard site keeps Virginians up to date about a host of performance measures. Fiscal year spending, for example, is within 1 percent of forecast, and 85 percent of projects are on budget.
The fight against waste, fraud and abuse never ends, but this one is but a smokescreen for do-nothing members of the GOP.
They know they can get away with inaction because many Virginians do not want to pay more at the pump, the dealership or anywhere else. Lawmakers will not get serious about fixing the oncoming traffic wreck until their constituents do.
And unless they live in Northern Virginia or Hampton Roads, Virginians are not particularly serious about it. They have not felt the pain of canceled projects and traffic delays. For now, they accept GOP misdirection and phantom solutions.
