The Fairfax Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to send a letter to Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell challenging the state’s last-minute request for two seats on Metro’s board of directors in exchange for $50 million in Metro funding.
Virginia’s four board seats are currently held by Northern Virginia localities, but if the state gets its way two of those local politicians would be replaced by McDonnell appointees.
Metro’s new budget year begins July 1.
“[This funding] is being held hostage,” said Supervisor Jeff McKay, D-Lee, who is on the Metro board and emphatically supported sending a letter to the governor.
McKay said the top problem facing Metro is a lack of dedicated funding, and said the state’s late threat to withhold cash is irresponsible.
“The safety of our riders is counting on this money being approved,” McKay said, arguing the Metro board seats should stay in Northern Virginia.
The vote to send McDonnell a letter was not unanimous.
Three supervisors — Pat Herrity, John Cook and Michael Frey — said the state’s request was reasonable, although agreed it was late in arriving.
