mikesoh.com

Jim Moran has become the tool of the establishment.  He has co-sponsored a bill that would close the so-called gunshow loophole.  Moran is one of the unlucky politicians who are up for election this November.  He will be up against the winner of the Republican primary that’s coming up in June 8th.  Here’s my scathing letter to him:
continue reading »

It’s been well over a month since I sent WMATA my initial PARP request.  And it’s been over four weeks since I sent them my follow-up e-mail.  And now, WMATA’s interim General Manager Richard Sarles is calling for an additional fare hike and service cuts!

The public needs to know where this money is going before any additional fare hikes are enacted.  I’m okay with a fare hike IF AND ONLY IF the AFL-CIO isn’t bullying for more money.

A couple of weeks ago, I introduced my “private investigation” of the WMATA system here in Washington, DC.  Initial results were that WMATA was spending more than 75% on salaries, which seems awfully high considering that they have one of the worst safety records. Only 3% of their expenditures account for “preventive maintenance.”

As a result of this, I sent WMATA’s legal counsel a Public Access to Records Policy request, which is similar to a Freedom of Information Act request.

Here is the e-mail I received this morning:

continue reading »

Like most people who live in the National Capital Region (NCR), I use the WMATA Metro system to get to work.  Over the last two years, WMATA has increased fares at least 3 times:

• Jan 6, 2008: Fare are increased for the first time since 2004.  The average increase is about $0.50
• Jun 28, 2009: Bus fares are increased by $0.10 on average
• Feb 28, 2010: Fares are “temporarily increased” by $0.10 on average

There are other fares that were increased but were not included.  Service was also trimmed several times in the last two years.

WMATA, unlike most other subway systems, does not have any dedicated funding from local governments.  Ignoring the fact that they get money from the federal, VA, MD, and DC government every year, the fact is that there is no law saying that these agencies will fund WMATA.  WMATA likes to bring this up every so often to remind people that this is why cuts must be made and fares should increase.

I say bull.

continue reading »