One of the longest running debates in Richmond is how we can behave more like a "region" that benefits each individual locality while also helping the area as a whole. The newest approach is the proposal to create a regional transportation authority, which would raise revenue through fees and taxes to fund projects in our region.
 
Richmonders may recall how the Richmond Metropolitan Authority (RMA) came into being in 1966. That regional body, consisting of Richmond, Henrico, and Chesterfield, was created by the State and approved by the City Council and now is responsible for the Downtown Expressway, Powhite Parkway, several parking decks, and The Diamond.
 
What is not as well known is that all of the property owned by the RMA lies within the City. Furthermore, the City is the only locality that has ever invested money into the Authority, and is currently owed more than $85 million for roads and parking facilities which will begin to be repaid as bonds mature in 2022.
 
Because of its investment, Richmond has six seats on the RMA Board and each county has two seats. Two attempts have been made in the last two years to alter the governing authority of the RMA in order to dilute Richmond's role without paying back any of the City's $85 million.
 
Another attempt will likely be made during the upcoming General Assembly session. To date, I have been the only voice in the City opposing these attempts to weaken the City's position.

As Virginia's Capital City, Richmond should not be looked at as the problem but, rather, the solution. Everyone who espouses "regionalism" will acknowledge that very concept should exist - but we all know it currently does not exist.

 

GRTC is owned by the City and Chesterfield - yet, the City is the only one that contributes to GRTC's operating budget at the cost of $11 million annually. This is another example of a "regional" goal, yet only Richmond is putting up the money to help make it happen.
 
GRTC's service into Chesterfield is funded through a temporary State grant while service into Henrico is funded on a per-mile basis. Many job opportunities exist in areas where service is not currently available, such as the Midlothian corridor and the Short Pump area, to name only two.
 
That's why the plan to create a new regional transportation authority should give Richmond residents pause to study the true details and the dire implications for Richmond. The proposed authority, if approved by each participating locality, would allow each locality to retain only 60% of the revenue it raises. The remaining 40% would be "pooled" money that would be spent on various regional projects.
 
First, the "pooled" money, as defined in the proposal, would NOT be available for transit operations and expanding transit service that brings people to jobs and vice versa. It would only be available for transit capital costs, such as new buses. 
 
Three attempts have already been made - and rejected - to set aside as little as 10% of monies to expand bus service into Henrico and Chesterfield to create a regional mass transit network. Everyone agrees that a regional network should include funding for a mix of both roads and transit, yet no one - except the City - will commit to this important component.

The issue of mass transit will not be settled in the future with vague promises of someday addressing the issue. This is an issue that needs to be agreed upon before a vote is even taken to approve the concept of the authority. Any proposal that does NOT address this issue - upfront and in clear language - works against the very goal of what is trying to be created.
 
Another aspect of the proposal that Richmonders should examine closely is that each participating locality would have one vote on the Authority and a simple majority would set spending and project priorities. Richmond, as the already built-out and only urban locality, would be at a significant disadvantage in terms of accessing the "pooled" money, especially if transit issues are not defined in advance.
 
Outlying localities could use that "pooled" money to build needed roads into new developments and build ring roads around the City. Richmond would then have to fund any expansion of mass transit into a true regional network with its own 60% share of dedicated revenues, as much of the pooled money would likely be spent in outlying areas. This would obviously hurt the City and diminish the revenue we would have available for our own local needs.

Councilman Marty Jewell quoted an old phrase describing his take on this proposal as "What's mine is mine, and what is yours we will negotiate."

 

Richmond should certainly be willing to discuss a regional transportation authority, but we should not do so without a firm plan in place - in advance - that builds the framework of a true regional mass transit system.
 
The economic health of our City and the entire region depend on it.