Back in July, we noted that an unelected government "transportation" authority was appointed by the legislature to levy all sorts of new taxes on Northern Virginia, including new taxes on home sales, rental cars, and hotels. It was a novel idea, in that the Legislature could raise taxes without actually voting to raise taxes.

Well, the Virginia Supreme Court has given them the smack down.

The decision by the state's highest court prevents the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority from financing more than $300 million a year in regional highway and transit projects. The authority has already begun collecting new taxes and fees for projects such as a new interchange on the Fairfax County Parkway and the widening of the Prince William Parkway.

Basically, if the Virginia Legislature wants to raise taxes, they have to do it themselves and face the political fallout.

In related news, the Virginia Legislature will likely be calling a special session this summer.

[Sen. Charles J. Colgan (D-Prince William)] said lawmakers should explore a statewide tax increase to fund transportation projects.

Why am I not surprised? The idea of paying for new roads by cutting spending on social programs and other unnecessary vote buying schemes isn't even an option.

I wonder if this will make CNN's Recession Watch.