Politics & Government

Response to Metro-PLA Vote

Leaders weigh in on MWAA's change on Silver Line phase two labor requirements, incentives.

Business, political and transportation leaders began weighing in quickly today about the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority's vote to abandon a preference for a project labor agreement, or PLA, with respect to contracts for phase two of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, which is proposed to extend Metro's Silver Line from Reston to Ashburn.

We'll add statements as they come in. Add your thoughts in the comments section below.

Loudoun Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tony Howard
“With their decision to drop the preference for a Project Labor Agreement in the bids to complete the Dulles Rail Project, MWAA’s Board of Directors has demonstrated the strong leadership and willingness to work with their funding partners that will be necessary to see Phase 2 built to its logical completion at Route 772 in Loudoun County. It is the Loudoun County business community’s fervent hope that our Board of Supervisors will demonstrate the same leadership and cooperation by working to resolve all remaining issues and then voting to ensure that the County remains a partner in this Project and that Rail To Loudoun will soon become a reality.”

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Virginia Sen. Mark Herring (D-Loudoun and Fairfax) 
“The MWAA Board’s decision removes the major stated obstacle for members of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors to commit to the project.  It is time for the Board to vote to opt-in to Phase 2 and bring Metro to Loudoun.  The decision also frees up the already promised $150 million contribution from the Commonwealth to the project.  I call on Governor McDonnell to see that these state funds are released in a timely fashion and without further condition.  I will continue my effort to secure additional state funding for Phase 2 in order to bring down projected toll increases and lessen the burden on the Toll Road users.”

Loudoun Rail Now
“Loudoun Rail Now is pleased that the MWAA Board has voted today to remove the Project Labor Agreement from Phase 2 of the Silver Line extension into Loudoun County. As clearly stated by the Loudoun Board of Supervisors and Gov. Bob McDonnell, removal of the PLA is the critical step in approving Rail to Loudoun. With this vote, the Commonwealth will move forward with its $150M contribution to Phase 2. Equally critical, Loudoun County’s Board has made the removal of the PLA an essential pathway towards opting into the Silver Line. Loudoun Rail Now thanks the MWAA Board for removing all obstacles to bring the Silver Line through Dulles Airport to its terminal point at Route 772.”

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MWAA Board of Directors Chairman Michael A. Curto
"Today's vote is a major turning point for the Dulles rail project. This project is vital to the economic growth of this region and the Board is determined to do whatever is necessary to finish the project as quickly and cost effectively as possible."

Thomas M. Davis III, Vice Chairman MWAA's Board of Directors and Chairman of the Dulles Corridor Committee
“Dropping the PLA preference was what we needed to do to move forward with this project and with our funding partners. This has brought us all closer to recognizing that this project is important to the entire region and requires a team effort.”

Evan Macbeth, chair of the Loudoun County Democratic Committee
“I am glad that some members of Loudoun’s Board of Supervisors now have the political cover to do the right thing for Loudoun County and its residents. I am deeply disappointed, however, that so many people elected to lead this County chose to shy away from leadership when the moment demanded it."
Macbeth also criticized Virginia’s Republican leaders for their changing stance on the PLA: “As the Washington Post reported last weekend, these questions were discussed and resolved by the appropriate officials months ago, only to have Republicans renege on a deal and change their demands. It is deeply disappointing that the Republicans held this once-in-a-generation project hostage to their anti-Union orthodoxy, no matter that PLAs have been proven to enhance worker safety, and to make projects more likely to be completed on time and on budget.”

Del. Barbara Comstock (R-34)
"I applaud yesterday's 11-1 decision by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Board of Directors to comply with the law of Virginia and reject the 10-point contracting preference for companies that would have agreed to sign a union Project Labor Agreement (PLA). The General Assembly this year passed and the Governor signed my bill—HB 33, The Fair and Open Competition in Government Contracting Act—which was intended to increase competition and provide more opportunities for the 97 percent of Virginia's workers who are non-union to compete on a level playing field with union workers. More competition will lead to lower costs on this project and lower tolls for our constituents. On all government contracting projects we need to have a fair and open process that enhances competition and puts the Virginia taxpayers and businesses first. This legislation this year and the vote yesterday are victories for Virginia taxpayers and Virginia workers."


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