Bay Oyster population demise continues despite millions spent

A new article on the Washington Post chronicles the "missteps" of the restoration programs of State and Federal agencies. It reads like a classic story of government blunders. Creating unattainable goals, not listening to citizen experts (in this case watermen), and a lack of collaboration/cooperation with other government agencies that have had success (Corps of Engineers).

With tax dollars being spent at an ever increasing rate on Bay restoration and cleanup and more and more legislation being passed during every General Assembly session some results should be forthcoming. Patience is wearing thin with the lack of progress with the Bay cleanup. More drastic measures may have to be implemented or at least discussed. It's difficult to imagine positive results with some many competing goals such as maintaining fisheries, accommodating more population growth, allowing further development in critical areas, lack of enforcement of existing environmental regulations and reduction of promised cleanup funds to name a few.

The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak on the Bay cleanup issue. Is there a politician out there with the courage, will and foresight to present the hard choices required to restore the Bay after centuries of abuse and neglect?

How to lower your approval ratings in two easy steps

Virginia Governor Tim Kaine must be a masochist. He currently enjoys fairly high approval ratings (51% positive) according to Rasmussen Reports. He must have gazed across the river and decided his ratings were too high or felt pity for his neighbor and fellow Democrat, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley whose positive ratings are in the 30% range. By calling a special session (Step 1) to decide on a tax increase (Big Step 2), Governor Kaine is sure to see his numbers slip.

What he is doing that Governor O'Malley failed to do, is discuss the plan at Town Hall meetings across the State of Virginia and target the tax increase to specific areas with a specific purpose. Kaine is looking for a "Win-Win" according to the Washington Post but most likely Virginia voters will see the special session as a sham politically motivated stunt and certainly not be happy about a sizable tax increase.