Kaine Pursues Sprawl, Traffic

"It doesn't seem like it creates the same sense of urgency that he heard at town meetings," Anzilotti said. "We need to create a source of funding that . . . acknowledges that we have a $1 billion-to-$2 billion-a-year problem."

And developers and home builders are certain to balk. Last month, Mike Toalson, chief lobbyist for the home builders, said: "We stand solid in our opposition to that new authority to local governments. That is something we will vigorously oppose."

In addition to the new powers for local governments, Kaine will call for three laws to manage growth and traffic.

One would require developers to submit a standardized traffic impact statement whenever they request a rezoning. That would give the Virginia Department of Transportation and localities the ability to monitor the cumulative impact of development across the state.

A second proposal would strengthen the state's office of intermodalism, which is responsible for ensuring that people and goods can make connections between ports, airports, roads and rail lines. The office would get more resources and more accountability, the adviser said.

Kaine also will promise to convene a bipartisan commission to set measurable goals for spending on transportation "so that we invest in the most critical projects first, ensure that the traveling public gets the most for their money, and holds elected leadership -- you and I -- accountable for the performance of our transportation network."

On Sunday, Chief Justice Leroy R. Hassell Sr. of the State Supreme Court swore in Kaine's Cabinet, including Secretary of Transportation Pierce R. Homer. Before administering the oath of office, Hassell noted the difficulty of Homer's task.

"Given the subject of your cabinetship, I think we should give you the oath two or three times," Hassell told Homer. The audience laughed, and then Hassell asked, "Are you prepared to take the oath of office?"

"I am," Homer replied.

"Are you sure you are?" Hassell asked, prompting more laughter before Homer was sworn in.