Will FHA nix VA law extension on hybrids?

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   quote:
Originally posted by NoSUV

	[br]Seems like the feds HAVE provided something, although whether or not you can call it leadership is debatable. After all, they allow tolls to be collected on interstates state by state, clearly they should also let the states decide on HOV policy.

	
	And the extension law is not if, but when. Kaine can't veto it since it passed both houses by such a large majority that a veto override is all but certain.

	
	Better to try for the next session, because if the dire congestion predicted by VDOT, the Post, and slugs doesn't happen, there will be further extensions - so you'll need some other ploy to kill it.

	
	So everyone else in the states thinks the slugs are wrong and should not have access to free flowing lanes? The question then becomes one of home rule. Are the people in northern Virginia capable of governing themselves? Governor Kaine apparently thinks not, at least in the case of who gets to decide the operating rules on the reversible lanes. Can you spell carpetbagger?

	
	dickboyd@aol.com

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dickboyd Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 13 Nov 2004 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote dickboyd Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 Mar 2006 at 11:56am
	quote: Originally posted by NoSUV [br]Seems like the feds HAVE provided something, although whether or not you can call it leadership is debatable. After all, they allow tolls to be collected on interstates state by state, clearly they should also let the states decide on HOV policy. And the extension law is not if, but when. Kaine can't veto it since it passed both houses by such a large majority that a veto override is all but certain. Better to try for the next session, because if the dire congestion predicted by VDOT, the Post, and slugs doesn't happen, there will be further extensions - so you'll need some other ploy to kill it. So everyone else in the states thinks the slugs are wrong and should not have access to free flowing lanes? The question then becomes one of home rule. Are the people in northern Virginia capable of governing themselves? Governor Kaine apparently thinks not, at least in the case of who gets to decide the operating rules on the reversible lanes. Can you spell carpetbagger? dickboyd@aol.com

NoSUV Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 14 Jan 2005 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote NoSUV Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 Mar 2006 at 11:37am
	Seems like the feds HAVE provided something, although whether or not you can call it leadership is debatable. After all, they allow tolls to be collected on interstates state by state, clearly they should also let the states decide on HOV policy. And the extension law is not if, but when. Kaine can't veto it since it passed both houses by such a large majority that a veto override is all but certain. Better to try for the next session, because if the dire congestion predicted by VDOT, the Post, and slugs doesn't happen, there will be further extensions - so you'll need some other ploy to kill it.

Bob Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 14 Dec 2001 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bob Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Mar 2006 at 6:03pm
	Doug, The role of the Federal Highway Administration has been totally un-reported as you say. This is a federal highway and they do have ultimate control. My interpretation from their website and correspondence (opinion only) is that while they are pro-HOT, including 95 and the beltway, they are very concerned about hybrid clogging. Unfortunately, the federal transportation bill you mentioned did pass, and allows states to allow hybrids with clog- monitoring programs. When clogging reaches a limit specified under the law, the hybrids are kicked out or X number are grandfathered (I think). (Gee I wonder if the auto industry lobbied this.) VDOT in Richmond apparently has said (according to an email by my county supervisor) that they are going to start a monitoring program of hybrids that will be carried out next year. So we shall see what happens if the VA extension law passes. I hope the feds step up an show some leadership. We haven't seen any up to this point..

Doug Baggett Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 10 May 2005 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Doug Baggett Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Mar 2006 at 3:12pm
	I've seen almost no coverage of any response from FHA concerning VDOT's response to FHA's concerns about HOV traffic and hybrids. I know there was a law going through congress that would let states ultimately decide the rules for HOV and that FHA was delaying any action against virginia (since VA is in violation of Federal regulations) until that Bill was passed (or not). FHA has a VERY big stick. If that law was not passed in congress they can basically threaten to take away highway construction money.