Posted on 08/24/2010 8:27:32 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Charges of race discrimination are a big part of the Arlington County Board's high-occupancy toll lanes lawsuit against Virginia and the federal government, which accuses several federal and state transportation officials of civil rights violations.
The board recently filed a motion with the U.S. District Court in D.C. to expand its lawsuit to include Edward Sundra, a program manager for the Federal Highway Administration.
If the court accepts the board's motion, Sundra would become the fourth person charged in the lawsuit with "blatant and intentional" neglect of federal and state anti-discrimination laws.
The three individuals the lawsuit currently names -- both as individual citizens and as government employees -- are U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez and former Virginia Secretary of Transportation Pierce Homer.
Sean Connaughton, Virginia's current transportation chief, is also named, but only in his official capacity.
The Arlington Board filed its suit roughly one year ago, as federal and state transportation agencies considered plans to install HOT lanes on Interstates 95 and 395.
The board's lawsuit says the agencies failed to consider the harmful effects of air pollution on minority populations living near the highways.
The suit also says transportation officials failed to conduct proper environmental impact studies before moving forward with the project.
John Britton, an attorney with the law firm hired by Arlington County to advise on the suit, said the transportation officials must be charged in their individual capacities because of the nature of the accusations.
"The claims which arise under civil rights provisions of the constitution must be presented as allegations against individuals," Britton said.
Arlington Board Chairman Jay Fisette said the board had included Sundra in its lawsuit because the county attorney's office believed it would strengthen their case against the transportation agencies.
"We have an obligation to put forward our strongest case to protect people," Fisette said.
He said despite the newest allegations, the board has been in talks with state and federal transportation officials to resolve the dispute.
"Secretary Connaughton has made an effort to reach out and has expressed an interest in finding a solution, " Fisette said. "I'm hopeful that we'll reach a settlement, but only time will tell."
PING!
This is great; the more times we can get Dim factions to fight the better. This time is it the enviro v. the racial spoils avocates. But it does not matter which of the Dim factions are battling; it is just important that they are and the Dims are force to choose who to back.
A plague on both their houses. Although I do have to say that Arlington is a completely idiotic People’s Republic, and the streets really show it.
Whenever Rat lowers battle it is like pig wrestling. The taxpayer pays the bill and gets dirty and the Rat pigs love it. Remember the welfare state exists to improve the life of liberal bureaucrats and parasites..screw the taxpayer.
Lawyers suing lawyers to get tax payers to pay their fees. Washington is lost.
After this, let's look at "harmful effects of air pollution on minority populations living near the [airports]."
Do they think we're stupid? Property values are lower near highways and airports, so who moves into those locations? Minorities move into areas with pre-existing infrastructure. And after they move in, they sue the indigenous residents for harming them.
And besides, I thought that tolls were supposed to reduce demand on highways, which would reduce traffic which would reduce pollution, no?
-PJ
Yeah this smells funny. I think this is throwing something at the wall to see if it sticks. What a great way to spend the cap n tax money huh.
I thought someone proved years ago that it didn’t reduce the number of cars. It pulls people off public transportation or gets kids in the car.
Hmm...a couple of opposing forces there. On the one hand, rich families are able to enroll their kids in private school, youth soccer, etc.
On the other hand, don’t blacks ride public transit? Hmm...are white drivers unwilling to offer black coworkers rides?
Oohh... that's good.
White commuters create pollution; minority commuters don't.
I like it!
-PJ
Anything that isn’t free...is racist.
isn't.
that.
the.
whole.
point?
I’m lost. Is HOT the same as HOV?
HOV = High Occupancy Vehicle. In HOV lanes, only cars with a certain minimum amount of occupants are allowed. On the current I-95/I-395 HOV lanes in northern Virginia, a minimum of three people in a vehicle is required.
HOT = High Occupancy or Toll. In HOT lanes, people below the minimum HOV requirement can use the lanes, as long as they pay a toll. People with the required minimum or above can use the lanes for free. The Virginia HOT Lanes on I-95/I-395, which would replace the current HOV lanes, are such an example.
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