Friday, July 23, 2004

I’d like to call “Mulligan" on the tax hike in Virginia.

Gov. Mark Warner said yesterday Virginia, which passed a record $1.38 billion tax increase this year, will actually end the year with a $323.8 million surplus.

Of that figure, only $13.1 million is available for use, since the rest is earmarked by law. Most of it will go into the state’s Rainy Day Fund. Ten percent of the surplus will go into the Water Quality Improvement Fund.

“Although the revenue surplus is good news, it will not be used to start new programs, or increase spending for government operations,” said Mr. Warner, a Democrat who championed the tax-reform package this year. “We will continue to press for improved efficiency in state government, and to ensure that every dollar is put to effective use.”

Of course, they’re going to keep it. I just wish they’d actually use it for good - like improving the roads in northern Viriginia in order to accommodate the new housing and businesses that they’re still building despite not having planned for the increased traffic.