When I first read this line in this article (Va. House, Senate Propose Widely Differing Budget Plans)
It eliminates Warner's proposed $950,000 program for converting unused railroad lines to bicycle trails.
I was surprised that Virginia was spending less than a million dollars on new rail trails, and I was surprised that this was a political issue. Sure, there will be arguments over how much to spend on rail to trail conversions, but I'm surprised to see the Republicans positioning themselves as the "anti-rail trail party." It can't be for reasons of fiscal responsibility. Not when you read this:
A recently published study of the Virginia Creeper Trail's (pictured) economic impact concluded that trail-related visitor spending amounted to about $2.5 million annually and supported about 30 jobs. The study found that nonlocals who used the trail traveled an average of 260 miles to reach it.
Is their some constituency out there demanding that this funding be removed, or are the Virginia Republicans so against immigrants that now they also don't want out of state tourists? Sadly, it appears to be good old politics as usual.
But they cut spending for many of the smaller programs that Warner had started, including many he is using as evidence of his success in what could become a bid for the presidency.
So, it appears to be a policy that hurts the state and the people they represent but helps the national party. Awesome.
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