Politics & Government

Plum, Howell Talk Rail, Education and Redistricting

Legislators hear what's on the community's mind at public forum.

Rail to Dulles, redistricting and educational spending were the three main topics at a public forum held by Del. Ken Plum (D-Reston) and State Sen. Janet Howell at Tuesday.

The legislators held the meeting as an informal legislative session wrap up and to hear what is on constituents' minds.

Howell (D-32nd) heads back to Richmond today to for a special Congressional redistricting session. The local redistricting proposal - after being vetoed once by Gov. Bob McDonnell (R), is now under consideration by the U.S. Department of Justice, and Howell says there should be news on that proposal "imminently."

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On the education front, Plum pointed out the stress of an economic downturn on local school systems.

Public education funding is supposed to be shared 55 percent by the state and 45 percent by local government, he pointed out.

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"As tax revenues have declined in the recession, the state's share has been about 41 percent," he said. "I spent most of the legislative session trying to make sure it did not go lower than that. As the economy improves, there should be additional money available. The Governor says there is a 'surplus.' I would call that 'unallocated money.' If you promise 55 percent and then give 45 percent, how do you call that a surplus?"

The legislators also answered questions about the (both say parental notification is just common sense) and a presssing need (preschool for all will save lots of money on remedial attention down the road, says Plum).

On Rail to Dulles, which has come under scrutiny with localities arguing over who should pay the mounting costs, Plum - who for years has been a major proponent of the project - gave a little history of it.

"The second phase faces major challenges in terms of cost," he said. "When the project was conceived 12 to 15 years ago, the guesstimate was modest. Problem is, it wasn't built until 10 years later....People need to recognize that the cost is not frivilous. It is because so much time has passed."

Phase 1 of the Silver Line, which will end at Reston's Wiehle Avenue, is 40 percent finished and expected to open in late 2013.

Phase 2, from Reston Parkway to Dulles International Airport and into eastern  Loudoun County, may end up being completed (target date 2016) with less federal money and more user contribution than planned, Plum said.

Questions from the crowd of about two dozen included concerns over projected Toll Road fees, construction contracts and lack of transparency in the funding process.

to come up with a cost cutting plan. Officials met again last Friday, but would not publicly comment on the discussions.

Plum said Thursday he thinks they will find a solution. They have to.

"What I think will happen is the airport authority will say 'a tunnel is nice, but we can't afford it,' " said Plum. "If anyone thinks [the Silver Line] is going to be built at any cost, they've got another thing coming."


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