Kaine Adds Public Forums on Transportation Plans

Some House Republicans questioned whether the forums would truly reflect public sentiment.

"I wouldn't put a whole lot of stock if the results come back that everybody supports his plan," said House Majority Leader H. Morgan Griffith (R-Salem). He said Kaine has a natural advantage in being able to "gin up" support for his plan while lawmakers are in Richmond working on other issues.

In his speech to the slow-growth advocates, Kaine said that revenue is only part of the solution. The state must also bring more "accountability" to its transportation operations and give local governments more zoning authority.

"If we just tax and pave the way we've been taxing and paving, it's just going to make things worse," Kaine said to cheers from those in the crowd, some of whom held up signs with slogans such as: "Better land use . . . better communities" and "Citizens over developers."

Kaine was joined by legislators from both parties who want to give local governments more authority to manage growth.

Two bills that would better coordinate development passed a Senate committee Tuesday.

"Something is going to happen this year," vowed Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William), who has submitted similar bills in past sessions. "Developers have to pay for the cost of development. There ain't no more hiding in Virginia."

The crowd was filled with local activists and county officials who say they need the new tools to help regulate growth. Bob Miller, a newly elected supervisor from Madison County, 90 miles southwest of Washington, said his once-agrarian community is beginning to experience increased growth.

"This would begin to give us the ability to address the issues that other communities have had," he said of the various plans supported by Kaine and the lawmakers. "It gives us the tools at a point that is a turning point."