Virginia’s road funds have been diverted for years

Re: “Va. House speaker has dim hopes for Metrorail extension to Dulles,” Dec. 5

Voters want politicians to keep their word. That’s why I introduced my constitutional amendment to lock up the Transportation Trust Fund in 1997. It passed the House of Delegates in 2001, and reached the floor of the state Senate twice, most recently in 2007, but failed on final passage.

A “trust” fund should be just that. Our transportation tax dollars have been diverted for non-transportation purposes over the past 14 years to the tune of roughly $1.2 billion. For example, former Gov. Mark Warner shifted about $322 million in road funds to general-purpose spending.

It is unjust for government to keep treating taxpayers as bottomless ATMs. Following the recommendations of former Gov. Doug Wilder’s Commission on Efficiency and Effectiveness could have saved Virginians $750 million annually in 2002 — and $1.1 billion now.

I will continue to introduce bills to implement Gov. Wilder’s proposals, but citizens must also speak out to get these reforms passed in Richmond.

Del. Bob Marshall
13th District
Virginia General Assembly

U.S. intelligence agencies get it wrong again

Re: “Bush: Iran still a danger despite report,” Dec. 4

The new NIE report is ambiguous, contradictory, and hardly reassuring. It also makes U.S. intelligence look like an oxymoron.

If Iran isn’t working toward nuclear weapons, why does it continue to violate international laws and hide its program from nuclear inspectors?

If they don’t have a nuclear weapons program, why do Iranian leaders risk more economic sanctions and refuse to allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to fully access their sites?

Iran claims to have 3,000 working centrifuges. If these continue to operate successfully, Iran will create enough fuel for a nuclear weapon in a year.

We must act to stop Iran before it can develop nuclear technology, because the Iranian president has said that he would share it

with like-minded Muslim countries.

Jon Morgenstern
Montgomery Village

Reston town charter not a license to tax residents

Re: “Executive blasts Reston town proposal,” Dec. 4

The statement that “the proposed [Reston town] charter also would grant the rights to tax and establish a public transportation system” is misleading. The town charter proposed by Reston Citizens Association permits very few powers for the town without the approval of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

For instance, taxing powers are greatly restricted. Town taxes would replace existing homeowners’ dues plus an existing local community center tax. The transportation system would be an in-town system only, which already exists with the support of the homeowners association. Indeed, the charter expressly forbids “the operation outside of town boundaries of a system of public transportation” without approval of the Board of Supervisors.

The purpose of the town charter is to give local residents more control over development. People in Reston appreciate county services and would continue to pay in full for them. However, with regard to planning and land use, Reston wants more local control to keep development in line with the unique legacy of Reston founder Robert E. Simon.

Marion Stillson
Vice president
Reston Citizens Association

Carpetless Metrorail cars are also safer

Re: “Metro debuts carpetless rail cars,” Dec. 5

Here is one more reason why having carpetless floors in Metro rail cars is a good idea: safety.

Some years ago, there was a relatively minor accident in the subway system in Korea. It was found that the carpet in rail cars is easily combustible and creates serious hazards for passengers.

I would hope that the composite material in our rail cars that replaced the carpet is fire-resistant.

Sung Lee
Falls Church

Iranian leader means what he says on Israel

Re: “Iran leader claims win in nuke face-off,” Dec. 5

I may be a simple Southern housewife, but I recognize a madman when I see and hear one.

We need to put strong economic pressure on the president of Iran. I believe he knows that people are running scared with his wild threats, and he is counting on that to make us act nice and not do anything.

I also think we are acting with blinders on by not being tougher because he means what he says. He really wants Israel gone — and us also.

Elsie Quesenberry
Silver Spring