At long last, Republicans in Richmond (www.vagop.com) unveiled a transportation spending plan on January 18, finally reaching compromise after a long stalemate. A special session solely devoted to the issue couldn’t get the job done last year, largely because of conflicts between Republicans in the Senate, who were interested in raising taxes, and Republicans in the House, who wanted to borrow money. But the necessities of a State legislative election year mean that Republicans couldn’t get away with doing nothing through 2007.
 Governor Tim Kaine says that the Republican transportation plan, which would take $250 million from the general fund, is worth a look. |
The terms of the plan leave few ecstatic, even if they can live with them. The proposal would allocate $500 million annually for transportation improvements, largely in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. Those localities would be able to raise local fees and taxes in order to help finance road improvements. Principally this would come through raising commercial real estate taxes in NoVA and Hampton Roads, which has many businesses disgruntled. Democratic Governor Tim Kaine (www.governor.virginia.gov) has voiced concern over the part of the proposal that calls for taking $250 million from the general fund and would mean serious cutbacks in other government spending. Kaine has pointed out that $250 million represents the combined budgets of State police, the State’s emergency management operations and all veterans services.
Still, he is open to considering the plan. “I urge everyone involved in this discussion to contribute in a civil and constructive way as we all work together to choose the best elements of the different transportation proposals now being considered by the General Assembly,” said Kaine in a press release following the announcement.
How other Democrats react to the plan, and whether the Republican compromise will last, will be tested in the final month of the session. Whatever happens, expect Virginia citizens to weigh in on the issue in November—at the ballot box.
For more information on the 2007 Virginia General Assembly Session:
http://leg1.state.va.us/