McKay, County Lose Metro Board Seat

Fairfax County lost its alternate spot on Metro's board of directors to Arlington County last week, as a result of Governor Bob McDonnell's push to give the state of Virginia a second seat on the board, the Washington Post reported.

"It is a big mistake for the transit agency because this has to do with who can run a transit agency better: local government or the state?" Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay (D), who held the county's position on the Metro's board, told the Post. "It is clearly local government."

Last year, Governor McDonnell threatened to withhold money from WMATA unless the Commonwealth received another seat on the board. As a result, Arlington County ceded its voting membership on the board to Virginia, and took the alternate seat held by McKay.

McKay had served on Metro's board since January 2008. In October, transportation blog Greater Greater Washington praised McKay for his commitment to riders in debates over changing station names.

On Thursday, McDonnell-appointee Jim Dyke filled Virginia's new position on the board. Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D) will retain her seat on the board.