The Hampton Roads Transportation Authority meets for the first time tonight and all the words spoken and promises made will be tested in front of the public.

The Authority was formed to oversee raising taxes and fees in order to secure funding to make serious improvements to traffic flow in Hampton Roads. Isle of Wight County is among those counties and cities to be slapped with higher bills.

In voting to form the Authority, local governments generally gave lukewarm approval (Isle of Wight certainly did), knowing that the method for its formation was flawed. The Authority members have their work cut out.