Va. Leaders Push Increase In Taxes, Fees To Aid Roads

"This is nothing short of a remake of our transportation system," said Sen. Charles R. Hawkins (R-Pittsylvania).

Stewart Schwartz, the president of the Coalition for Smarter Growth, said lawmakers "must come up with stronger land use and transportation planning reforms before writing more checks."

Some lawmakers and local officials in Northern Virginia complained that the higher taxes would fall harder on their region.

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald E. Connolly (D) welcomed new funds for transportation but said the state should provide more by borrowing more.

"We have substantial underutilized debt capacity that ought to be used," he said.

Hugh D. Keogh, president of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, praised the Senate proposal, saying the tax on gas may concern some in the business community, who "need to be prepared to give a little bit to get a big picture deal."

Many in the Senate have agreed in recent days that they would not be prepared for another brawl in the legislature unless a transportation plan was sizable enough to make a difference for commuters, meaning at least $1 billion in new funding yearly.

Kaine said he is willing to compromise but wants a solution by the time the legislature adjourns in March:

"Every legislator understands this problem. They've lived it. They've talked about it. They've heard about it from their constituents. They are here now for 60 days with every tool at their disposal to solve it. . . . It's now time to be about solutions."

Staff writers Chris L. Jenkins and Steven Ginsberg contributed to this report.