The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority does have the power to tax and borrow to fund local transportation projects, an Arlington judge ruled Tuesday. Loudoun County and a score of conservative politicians had disputed that power in court this week and will continue to do so. The decision, by Judge Benjamin Kendrick, will be appealed, said Delegate Bob Marshall, a Republican who represents Manassas.
Following the passage of the transportation bill in Richmond this spring, the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority voted to raise some $300 million annually through seven different taxes and fees. The initial list of 22 projects they want to fund includes improvements to roads, overpasses, interchanges and metro stations, and new Virginia Railway Express locomotives.
