News
ID: Washingtonians Coming to Idaho for Liquor
Liquor sales are on the rise in Northern Idaho, a trend officials link to the privatization of liquor stores across the state line in Washington. Washington closed its state-run liquor stores in May, prompting many people to come to the Gem State for booze. East Idaho News
PA: Report: Privatizing Lottery a Losing Ticket for PA, Seniors
As the clock ticks on a bid to privatize the Pennsylvania Lottery, a new report says the deal is a bad one for the state and its seniors. Stephen Herzenberg, executive director of the Keystone Research Center and study author, says the upside to the lottery being taken over by Camelot Global Services exists only from the company’s perspective. “This deal looks lousy for the Commonwealth, which would lose some of the critical funding that goes to senior programs like low-cost prescription drugs, senior centers and transportation for Pennsylvania seniors.” Public News Service
VA: Virginia signs agreement with public/private partnership to build 55-mile section of U.S. 460
Gov. Bob McDonnell announced Thursday that the state has reached a commercial and financial close with U.S 460 Mobility Partners (a partnership of Ferrovial Agroman S.A. and American Infrastructure) and the Route 460 Funding Corp. of Virginia to finance, design and build a new 55-mile section of U.S. Route 460 in southeastern Virginia. Project development will begin immediately for the $1.4 billion roadway, the governor said, with the bulk of the money for construction ―$1.1 billion ― coming from public sources. Some opponents of the project are questioning the amount of public funding spent on a road that is expected to have between 5,000 and 6,000 vehicles per day. Virginia Business
VA: Toll rates on Dulles Toll Road to rise
The cost of a one-way trip on the Dulles Toll Road will rise by 50 cents starting Jan. 1. The Washington reports that the cost of a one-way trip for cars will go up from $2.25 to $2.75. That means commuters who rely on the road daily will pay about $260 more in 2013. WTOP