For Immediate Release:
October 18, 2002

Governor Warner:
We Need Accountability and Information Before the Vote - Not After

The Coalition for Smarter Growth and its partners in the No Sprawl Tax Coalition (www.nosprawltax.org) had an immediate response to Governor Warner's announcement of an Accountability Committee for the northern Virginia sales tax funds. "The voters need accountability and information before the vote, not after," said Stewart Schwartz of the No Sprawl Tax Coalition. "What the voters need right now, is for the Governor to tell the voters the total price tag of these projects. In addition, we need more than unsubstantiated claims that the package will reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality." In recent press, it has been disclosed that officials have not modeled the project list to determine its effect on congestion or air pollution.

"This does not address any of our concerns," said Chris Miller, President of the Piedmont Environmental Council. "The sales tax package completely lacks performance measures such as whether it reduces vehicle miles traveled, improves air pollution, and decreases the amount of sprawl development in the region. No business leader would make a $5 billion investment without the accountability provided by such performance measures."

"Financial audit or not, the just build more approach of the sales tax, is still going to make traffic worse," said Schwartz.

"As for the legitimate concern about the diversion of funds, this committee cannot possibly have the authority to address the power of the General Assembly and the Governor to divert funding," said Schwartz.